Be more specific on MA63 review, analyst tells Sabah, Sarawak group

KUCHING - Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) have been urged to come up with a common policy statement detailing how their review of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) can best be approached.

Political analyst Arnold Puyok welcomed their plan to cooperate on MA63 but said they must specify their focus and objectives.

The academic from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak said reaching out to the youth in Sabah and Sarawak was a good start.

“However, educating them on the history and importance of MA63 is not enough.

“They must link it with practical issues affecting their general well-being such as job opportunities and how they can utilise their talents,” he told FMT.

Leaders from GPS and PBS agreed last week to forge a political partnership to pursue issues of common interest, particularly in reinstating the rights of their states under MA63.

At a meeting attended by GPS chairman and Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg and PBS president Maximus Ongkili, they agreed to form a joint committee to review MA63.

Ongkili said the committee would reach out to youths in the two states through seminars and workshops.