Armizan denies claims 17 matters in MA63 have been resolved

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Duties) Armizan Mohd Ali denied that 17 of the 21 matters in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) have been “resolved” as alleged by a political party leader.

He said the party making the allegation should explain the definition of "resolved", on whether the matter has been raised, submitted, has achieved policy agreement, or settled in the sense of being implemented.

According to Armizan, what the people of Sabah want as "resolved" in the context of matters under MA63 are those which are fully implemented and from which the people can benefit.

"My answer in Parliament was quoted (by the political party leader), saying that in my written answer, it is mentioned that 17 matters have been resolved. I re-read my answer, there was no mention of 17 matters being resolved," he told reporters.

He said this yesterday after closing the Sabah State Disaster Management and Operations Coordination Workshop in Kota Kinabalu.

His remarks come following claims by Warisan information chief Azis Jamman and Kota Belud MP Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis in a live Facebook discussion session, claiming Armizan had said in Parliament that the 17 matters had been resolved.

Armizan, also Papar MP, said his answer referred to the query from Semporna MP and Warisan president Mohd Shafie Apdal on issues raised in the Special Cabinet Committee on MA63 between 2018 and 2019.

According to Armizan, matters related to MA63 have been partially completed, among them the electricity and gas issue and the review of Article 112D of the Federal Constitution regarding the amount for special annual grants for Sabah and Sarawak.

"There are also those that have not been completed but have already had a policy decision; this is what (the leader) may have considered, (that) when there is a policy decision, it is ‘resolved’.

“For example, there is a policy decision about the need to review Article 112D on special grants but it has not been completed yet, and will only be deemed so when the amount has been determined and implemented," he said.

- Bernama