No 'new deal' needed to uphold MA63, says Armizan

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia does not need a new agreement, or a "new deal" as some have described it, to ensure commitments and responsibilities related to the formation of the country continue to be upheld, said Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.

He said this was because the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) did not cease to have effect following the enactment of the Federal Constitution.

Instead, its terms and commitments remain relevant and binding on all parties, he said.

Armizan said this was among the matters that needed to be more widely understood and accepted in conjunction with the 63rd Malaysia Day today, particularly regarding the history of Malaysia's formation and the position of Sabah and Sarawak as partners in the Federation.

"The terms of the agreement expressly show that MA63 did not cease to have effect once the Federal Constitution was enacted. MA63 continues to exist, and the commitments and responsibilities outlined remain relevant and binding — past, present and forever," he said in a Facebook post.

Armizan said this was also affirmed through Article VIII of MA63, which provides that the governments of the Federation of Malaya, North Borneo and Sarawak would take the legislative, executive or other action required to implement the guarantees, undertakings and recommendations contained in the Report of the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC).

He said awareness of the history of Malaysia's formation should not be limited to understanding the Federation of Malaya Agreement 1948, the social contract and Malaya's independence in 1957.

Instead, it should also include acceptance of MA63 as a foundational document in the formation of the Federation of Malaysia, he said.

Armizan said Malaysia Day was only officially celebrated from 2010, after Sept 16 was incorporated into the national calendar, despite Malaysia having been formed in 1963.

"In conjunction with the 63rd Malaysia Day, let us understand its value and significance by acknowledging the terms of the agreement entered into by our former leaders," he said.

Armizan said understanding this history was important to ensure Malaysia remained strong, progressive, prosperous and safe for all its people.