This came after Sabah and Sarawak affairs minister Maximus Ongkili told the Dewan Rakyat that all the files concerning talks over MA63 were actually classified as secret by Pakatan Harapan (PH) when it was in power.
“When I took over the task of taking care of the MA63 affairs, all the files given to me were stamped as secret by the then PH government. It wasn’t me who signed those files,” he said, during the question-and-answer session.
“This was the decision after the talks between the Sabah and Sarawak governments and the federal government.
“However, we can produce a report or give a briefing to the Sabah and Sarawak MPs (on the talks) if there is a need.”
Ongkili (PBS-Kota Marudu) was replying to a supplementary question by Ahmad Hassan (Warisan-Papar) who had asked if the government had sent a progress report on the MA63 talks to the United Nations and if a copy could be extended to Sabah.
The PBS president went on to say that the talks were still ongoing, particularly over matters concerning legislation and oil and gas, but the report could not be shared until negotiations are completed.
He noted, however, that the government always maintained an openness over the matter, saying they had responded to most of the questions posed in Parliament over the progress made by the special committee on MA63.
At this juncture, Darell Leiking (Warisan-Penampang) interjected, saying there was no issue if the current government decided to declassify the report. Other MPs could also be heard heckling the minister.
Dr Kelvin Yii (PH-Bandar Kuching), who was allowed by the speaker to ask an additional question, then told Ongkili not to blame PH over the report being classified as secret initially.
“Don’t point fingers at PH. You are the minister now. If you want to disclose (the report), you can declassify it.
“Don’t keep this a secret any longer. This is our right … how much longer must we wait?”
Yii also asked if the current government planned to establish a bipartisan parliamentary select committee. He said the previous PH government had set up such a committee to monitor the implementation of the 17 out of 21 MA63 issues already agreed upon earlier.
“Will the government set up such a committee again so that we can see what progress has been made?
“It’s already been one and a half years. How many committees have been set up? What has been done?”
Ongkili said he took note of Yii’s concern but reiterated that the talks, particularly over commercial settlements, must first be completed before anything could be announced to the public.
“But whatever decision is made, we will also extend it to the Sabah and Sarawak governments. They can also make announcements to the public.”
Meanwhile, responding to an earlier question by Rubiah Wang (GPS-Kota Samarahan), Ongkili said the government was making efforts to ensure the history of the formation of Malaysia is taught more widely in schools.
This included reviewing the syllabus taught in secondary schools and tertiary institutions, he said.
He added that his ministry is working together with the education ministry on this.
Rubiah had asked about the measures taken by the government to raise the awareness levels and knowledge on MA63, not only in Sabah and Sarawak but also in the peninsula.
Special council on MA63
In a statement later, Ongkili said the current government’s special council on MA63 (MKMA63) had achieved more in its short time than when PH was in power.
In fact, the issues discussed by the members of MKMA63 were used in outlining the development plans for Sabah and Sarawak in the recently announced 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), he added.
“Four working committees were set up under MKMA63 headed by senior federal ministers to discuss security, socio-economic issues and special grants under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.
“While these issues may have been touched on during the PH administration, it never came up with concrete solutions. They were merely discussed without any follow-ups.”
Ongkili added that the special Cabinet committee to review the implementation of MA63 established by the PH government in 2018 had only agreed in principle to resolve outstanding MA63 issues and claims.
“There is more to that, which requires amendments to laws and regulations at the federal and state levels, which also involves various ministries.
“These issues were scrutinised and discussed under MKMA63, which was set up on Sept 2, 2020. We have sat down twice and will be meeting again soon next month (October) after the Parliament sitting.”