PETALING JAYA: Demands by Sabah and Sarawak for the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) to be fulfilled should not automatically be labelled as separatist movements, says former Sabah chief minister Salleh Said Keruak.
Salleh, who is also the Sabah Umno treasurer, said the demands to fulfill MA63 by the two states should be understood in the context of the historical foundations of the Malaysian federation.
He said the concerns of Sabah and Sarawak included constitutional rights, regional representation, resource sharing, and political autonomy, going beyond identity politics alone.
“Not all regional movements seek independence. Many demand stronger representation, fiscal autonomy or greater control over local resources,” he said in a Facebook post today on the rise of regionalism in global politics.
Salleh cited examples from around the world, including Quebec and Alberta in Canada, Catalonia in Spain, Scotland in the UK, and Greenland, to illustrate how regional movements could arise from different political, economic and historical circumstances.
He said such movements could be driven by distinct cultural identities, economic grievances, political exclusion, historical conflicts, or the legacy of colonial rule.
While some movements sought independence, he said, others focused on greater self-government, control over resources, or stronger regional representation within existing national structures.
“A strong nation is one that successfully balances national unity with the rights and aspirations of its regions,” he said.
Earlier this month, Sabah and Sarawak affairs minister Mustapha Sakmud said 16 of the 29 key issues under MA63 have been fully resolved, while three have been partially resolved, and 10 remain under negotiation.
Among the outstanding matters are a review of the special grant under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution, efforts to increase Sabah and Sarawak's parliamentary representation, and other issues involving the states' constitutional rights and autonomy.
Mustapha said the Sabah and Sarawak affairs division had begun formal discussions with the Election Commission on mechanisms to increase parliamentary representation for the two states.
MA63 is the founding document of Malaysia which guarantees the position, rights, and interests of Sabah and Sarawak as partners in forming the federation.