KUCHING, October 7 2025: Sarawak’s de facto deputy law minister Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali has reiterated that no one party can claim to dominate the others in the Federation of Malaysia, reasoning that the country was formed on the basis of partnership as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
She said MA63 is not just a historical document, but it is the cornerstone of the formation of the federation, including the conditions that were carefully negotiated until Malaysia was born as a nation.
“Therefore, MA63 is the most important document for Malaysia,” she said at the International Legal Talk Series Programme, according to Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), today.
She said MA63 has become a symbol of equal partnership that has strengthened the position and rights of Sarawak and Sabah in the federation since its establishment over six decades ago.
The deputy minister in the Premier's Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) said that MA63 is not just a historical document, but rather the foundation of the federal system that guarantees the autonomy, rights and interests of this state.
“Our federation is not built on the basis of one party dominating the other, but is based on partnership.
“It does not demand uniformity, but rather respects diversity and is not based on centralisation of power but a balance of protection that safeguards the rights and interests of Sarawak and Sabah for future generations,” she stressed.
Sharifah Hasidah also explained that MA63 is a continuing commitment that serves as a guide for the government in ensuring that the country’s policies and laws remain in line with the principle of equal partners.
She also noted that various important successes have been achieved as a result of the negotiations between the state and the federal governments, including amendments to Article 1(2) and Article 160(2) of the Federal Constitution.
The ceremony was also attended by the deputy chairman of the Sarawak Sovereign Wealth Future Fund Board, Datuk Patinggi Leonard Linggi Tun Jugah, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS), Datuk Abdullah Saidol, Sarawak Attorney General Datuk Sri Saferi Ali and Sabah Attorney General Datuk Brenndon Keith Soh.
Also present were two renowned academic figures, Professor Michael Leigh and Professor Andrew Harding who discussed the evolution of federalism, constitutional rights and the role of MA63 in strengthening the position of Sarawak and Sabah at the national level.
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