KOTA KINABALU: The amendments of several critical legal provisions in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) are being looked at, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law).

       Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the government, with assistance from the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC), were looking at this to reinstate the rights of the people in Sabah and Sarawak as per the agreement upon forming Malaysia.

       He said this was one of his ministry’s top priorities and targets to complete the process to table the bills in Parliament on the matter within his 100 days key performance index (KPI).

       "We have already laid out a comprehensive execution plan for this and according to our timeline, we are on schedule. We are optimistic of being able to complete this within the 100 days deadline," he said.

       Nevertheless, the bills would require a two third majority vote in Parliament in order for it to be passed and as such, it requires extensive engagement exercise with key stakeholders, namely the Members of Parliament (MPs) as well as the rakyat, Wan Junaidi said.

       "This is basically what I am doing now, making my rounds to see leaders, top government officials in Sabah and Sarawak to explain to them about this," he said.

       He said this was an important agenda for all and hoped the people in Sabah and Sarawak, regardless of their political views, would support it.

       Wan Junaidi said this after visiting Kota Kinabalu Court Complex here, on Saturday (Oct 2).

       The ministry, as part of its 100-day key performance index (KPI), was focusing on transformation initiatives in the government, Parliament and examining the MA63.

       The four main areas of focus to be undertaken by the ministry were to complete the process to table a Bill of limitation on the Prime Minister's tenure to 10 years; to complete the process to table a Bill to allow the appointment of a third deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker; and to complete the process to table some of the critical Bills to look into the rights of people in Sabah and Sarawak under MA63.

       Wan Junaidi is optimistic that the current government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, was committed to the development of Sabah and Sarawak, which was one of the priority areas under 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12).

       He said this serves as the much-awaited political will to push through the transformation agenda of these two states, which would accelerate development and help improve the quality of life of the people.

       He said the hard truth was, even after having achieved independence for 58 years, more than 40% of the people in Borneo were still living in rural areas, lacking basic facilities and infrastructure namely connectivity, communication, electricity, education as well as healthcare.

       "I hope under RMK12, more development and progress will take place in Sabah and Sarawak so that we will be able to enjoy the same facilities and infrastructure as the people in peninsula Malaysia," Wan Junaidi added.