Re-establishment of Ministry Portfolio for Sabah and Sarawak Expected to Have Positive Impact on MA63 Claims: Shahelmey

KUALA LUMPUR: The re-establishment of a portfolio specifically responsible for Sabah and Sarawak affairs following the recent Madani Cabinet reshuffle is highly anticipated, particularly in relation to issues involving the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Putatan Member of Parliament Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya said he hopes that the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs), now led by a leader from Sabah, will be able to have a positive impact on the progress of the implementation.

He said that cooperation between the federal and state governments is expected to have a significant effect on the matter, taking into account the country’s current harmonious political environment.

“As a Member of Parliament from the state of Sabah, Putatan greatly appreciates and values His Majesty’s concern regarding the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“In fact, the re-establishment of a portfolio specifically responsible for Sabah and Sarawak affairs following the Madani Cabinet reshuffle at the end of December is expected to have a positive impact on the implementation of MA63.

“We hope that the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs), now led by the Honourable Member for Sepanggar, will be able to steer every effort and key plan to finalise each matter under MA63 in a clear and structured manner, guided by the principles of the Federal Constitution,” he said.

He added that the Kota Kinabalu High Court decision on Oct 17, 2025 regarding the judicial review of the Sabah State Special Grant rate could inspire the best pathways towards formulating a fixed rate for the Sabah State Special Grant.

Shahelmey said this during his speech in the debate on the motion of thanks for the Royal Address at the first sitting of the fifth session of Parliament in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Meanwhile, apart from MA63, he also highlighted two other issues in his debate involving the National Education Policy 2035 and delays in the completion of federal development projects in Sabah.

“On education policy, I raised concerns that student dropout remains an unending problem that requires a comprehensive and conclusive solution from the Ministry of Education.

“As for development in Sabah, Putatan raised the issue of delays in the completion of development projects, and we have also asked the relevant ministries to detail the timelines and completion status of their implementation,” he said.