He said the matter was discussed during the Special Council on Malaysia Agreement 1963 meetings in December last year and April this year.

“Both the Sabah and Sarawak governments have forwarded (the names of) their nominees and the Sabah and Sarawak affairs division (BHESS) has submitted them to the finance ministry,” he said.

Kurum, who is also the political secretary to Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Maximus Ongkili, was responding to Warisan deputy president Darell Leiking, who called on the Sabah government to emulate Sarawak and name a candidate to sit on the board.

Yesterday, Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg said the state had submitted the name of its candidate to sit on the board to ensure Sarawak receives the right amount of annual special grant as stipulated in Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.

According to a Dayak Daily report, he said this was the latest update in the state’s demands for its rights under MA63 and the Inter-Governmental Committee Report.

The issue of the rights of Sabah and Sarawak came under the spotlight again recently when Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan suggested that a “New Malaysia Agreement” be drawn up.

He was criticised by East Malaysian leaders, including Abang Johari, who said the rights under MA63 should be implemented instead.

Mohamad, who is also the BN deputy chairman, later clarified that he was merely making a suggestion and said it was up to the relevant stakeholders to find the best solution.