Sabah has sovereignty over Sipadan, Ligitan but security still federal matter

 By Olivia Miwil - April 14, 2021 @ 4:12pm

A special council on Malaysia Agreement 1963 meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in Putrajaya yesterday. - Photo courtesy of Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili.

KUALA LUMPUR: While Sabah will have rights of sovereignty on the islands of Sipadan and Ligitan, matters pertaining to its security would still fall under the purview of the federal government.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said the two islands are under the supervision of the Sabah Parks and placed under protection of the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act 1959.

"However this is with the exception of the security control, which will still be under the purview of the federal government.

"The Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division (BHESS) and the National Security Council (MKN) will be arranging the full handover," he said in a statement after the second meeting of the Special Council on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MKMA63) yesterday, was chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Another decision achieved during the meeting was that Sarawak will have full control and management of its gas distribution. The handover will take effect on June 1.

Both decisions were made during the two-hour meeting, which was also attended by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg.

In a separate statement, Hajiji said that during the virtual meeting, he had also informed the council that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah stood firm on its principle that the Malaysia Agreement 1963 would be fulfilled.

"The discussion between the state and federal government is ongoing and both are committed to find the solutions.

"We also need to take into account that the prime minister has openly committed and given assurance to assess and work towards finding solutions."