Investigation will be initiated if there is a report lodged against Zaid, Home Minister says

KOTA SAMARAHAN, Nov 29 2025: Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has said investigation will be initiated if there is any police report lodged against former Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim over his call for the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) to be annulled and for Sarawak and Sabah to be made independent from Malaysia.

Saifuddin Nasution Ismail: No police report has been lodged against Zaid Ibrahim so far
 

In a podcast which was widely viralled on social media, Zaid also described Sarawak and Sabah were as  “burdens” left behind by the United Kingdom to Malaysia.

“We are waiting for the report. When someone makes a report, we will see under which Act and Section,” Saifuddin told reporters.

”As long as it has not happened (lodging report), we will comment further,” he said after officiating at the handing over of village adoption Madani programme at Kampung Sindang here.

Asked if the former minister could create unrest between Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak with his remarks, Saifuddin said:

“I can only comment on the government's stance on MA63. The federal government's commitment was translated through the appointment of Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof to chair a meeting between the federal government and Sabah and Sarawak regarding the commitment to implement the matters sealed in the agreement.

“Much progress has been achieved,” he said, adding that the federal government's commitment to the agreement must be assessed based on the implementation of what were agreed.

“Our focus is on what has not been fulfilled and what constraints need to be overcome,” he said.

“If there are comments by any individual (written or unwritten) that could affect good relations, and I invite the people to evaluate leaders like this.

“This is a leader who is already “outgoing”. He has his prime time. He was a member of parliament, had been a minister. He knows the legal background,” Saifuddin said.

“There is no reason to create unrest when the Madani government is focused on fulfilling what has been agreed.

“The people can evaluate leaders who do not show the importance of maintaining peace by controlling speech on matters that do not bring good,” he said.

Speaking during the debate on the 2026 State Budget two days ago, two Gabungan state legislative assembly members (SLMs) condemned Zaid over his disparaging remarks against Sarawak and Sabah.

Stakan SLM Hamzah Brahim wanted Zaid to be arrest immediately under the Sedition Act.

He had said that the former law minister should be arrested under the Sedition Act as his remarks could create unrest, incite dissatisfaction and enmity between Malaya, Sarawak and Sabah.

Daro SLM Safiee Ahmad also urged the relevant authorities to take firm action against former law minister “because it is clear that he had incited dissatisfaction and created enmity among the regions.”

He said the authorities should not allow people like Zaid to become termites which would destroy harmony that had been built by Malaysians all these years.