KOTA KINABALU: A group of legal experts, researchers and officials from the Federal and Sabah governments will be in London to search and study any references related to the state’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

       Led by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, the team is scheduled to leave for the week-long London on June 19.

       "Preliminary research showed over 300 documents referring to our rights and matters related to the MA63 are at the National Achieve in London.

       "There have been so many misconceptions and it is time to set the records right. MA63 is not just an agreement, therefore we need all the facts and figures to enable us to make claims that are rightfully ours," he said.

       Ongkili said that it was vital for the team to do their homework, so the rights of Sabah and Sabahans were protected.

       A similar gesture was carried out by the Sarawak government six years back.

       "We are excited as finally, we can get hold and access these confidential documents, which have now been declassified at the National Archive.

       "We hope to get better insights about what transpired prior to our independence in 1963," he said.

       Among those in the team are Sabah Attorney General Datuk Nor Asiah Mohd Yusof and Sabah's envoy to Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines - East Asean Growth Area Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia with officials from Sabah Chief Minister's Department.