The Malaysia Agreement is a legal document that spells out the terms for the formation of the Federation of Malaysia, including recognising Sabah, Sarawak as equals or allies of the Federation, with each having autonomy.
It was signed in London on July 9, 1963 between the United Kingdom of Great Britain, the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, North Borneo (Sabah) and Sarawak.
Initially, the date for the formation of the Federation of Malaysia was set for 31 August, 1963.
However, the then Malayan Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman delayed the formation of the federation by about two weeks to September 16 in order to give the United Nations more time to complete its study on the sentiments of the people in the Borneo territories over the merger.
Finally, a new country, Malaysia, was born following the merger of four entities on September 16, 1963 — and not on August 31, 1957, which was Malaya’s Independence Day.
In 1965, Singapore separated from Malaysia to become an independent and sovereign state.
Although September 16 has been a significant day to commemorate the formation of Malaysia, it was only declared as a public holiday in 2010. Prior to that, national-scale celebrations took place on August 31, and many Malaysians were unaware of the history of the formation of Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the issues of MA63 entered mainstream politics and began widely reported when Sarawak was led by the late Tan Sri Adenan Satem from 2014 to 2017.
The former chief minister was putting serious efforts and determined to get back Sarawak’s rights listed under the MA63, which had been eroded over the years; where he spoke about Sarawak autonomy in various matters.
A team of lawyers was sent to London to study the matter before Adenan’s death in January 2017, and his successor, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, has continued to pursue the issue, assuring that the state would not let up in its efforts until all its rights were restored.
The recent achievements in restoring Sarawak’s rights included the authority to implement federal projects worth RM50 million and below, with the state Public Works Department and Drainage and Irrigation Department recognised as technical departments.
The federal government also agreed to return 52 lots of undeveloped land to the state as well as placing a representative from Sarawak on the directors’ board of the Inland Revenue Board, in accordance with Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.
The Sarawak government has also stated four non-negotiable demands to the federal government in its negotiations to safeguard the state’s rights as enshrined in MA63, including the state’s immigration autonomy, the enforcement of the state laws in accordance to the Federal Constitution, such as the Oil Mining Ordinance, State Sales Tax and State Land Code.
Currently, the Sarawak government is requesting to change the status of Bintulu Port from a federal port to a state port as well as autonomy in relation to health and education issues.
Bintulu Port is now the only port in Sarawak that is still placed under the responsibility and supervision of the federal government.
