We are one federation, but we demand MA63 implementation as one bloc: Ewon

13 March 2026

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah and Sarawak remain part of the Federation of Malaysia, but both states demand the full implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the rights enshrined within it, United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO), President Datuk Ewon Benedick stated.

He explained that the demand is made jointly, given that Sabah and Sarawak share many similar rights as agreed upon in the formation of Malaysia.

He noted that every party has the right to interpret or voice views seeing Sabah and Sarawak as a “Borneo bloc” in demanding MA63 implementation.

“Everybody has the right to express their opinion. As UPKO President, I see that whether it’s called Borneo territory, Borneo bloc, or Sabah and Sarawak regions, to me we share nearly identical rights under the Malaysia Agreement.“

"Without Sabah and Sarawak, there would be no Federation of Malaysia. That is a fact.“

" So we are merely demanding what was agreed in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and negotiating as Sabah and Sarawak with the Federal Government,” he said.

He made these remarks when met by reporters at the UPKO Putatan Chinese New Year celebration event held at the Taipakkung Putatan grounds here yesterday.

Ewon said there are various interpretations of the term “Borneo bloc”, and from one angle, it is accurate since Sabah and Sarawak are on Borneo island, separated from the Peninsula by the South China Sea.

However, in the context of federation-building, he added, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s view is also correct because Sabah and Sarawak remain within one federation and one nation – Malaysia – that must continue to cooperate.

“To ensure the Federation of Malaysia continues to thrive as a nation, the Malaysia Agreement must be honoured, and the rights of Sabah and Sarawak must be implemented,” he said.

“It is therefore natural for leaders and people of both states to unite in fighting for our rights,” he added.

He stressed that as long as the provisions of MA63 remain unimplemented, the struggle to demand its fulfilment will continue.

Ewon noted that the Federal Government, Sabah, and Sarawak currently have several official platforms to negotiate MA63 implementation, including the MA63 Implementation Action Council and the MA63 Technical Committee, which meets annually.

He said both platforms serve as channels for negotiation to ensure Sabah and Sarawak’s rights are realised.He also explained that when Singapore was still part of the Federation of Malaysia, there were constitutional safeguards for territories outside the Malay Peninsula, including Sabah and Sarawak.

At that time, he said, the Peninsula did not hold legislative power up to two-thirds through parliamentary seats.

However, those safeguards eroded after Singapore’s exit from the Federation, even though they were among the reasons Sabah and Sarawak agreed to form Malaysia.

“That is why there is a view seeing Sabah and Sarawak as one bloc in Borneo. We are in our own territory, separated by the South China Sea. And we are demanding the agreed safeguards and rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963,” he said.

Ewon said Sabah is firm in defending its rights, including on the 40 per cent state revenue claim issue.

He referred to the Attorney General’s Chambers filing a stay of execution notice against the High Court ruling ordering negotiations to be finalised within 180 days between the Federal and Sabah governments on the matter.

He said the Sabah government, through the State Attorney General, has stated it will challenge the matter in court.

“It means we will be firm in our own way. This is now an era where leadership authority is peaking in Sabah and Sarawak. I have reminded our Peninsula counterparts that they can no longer view or belittle Sabah and Sarawak as they have in the past."

“They have the right to express views on Sabah and Sarawak, that’s their right. But we have the same right to say we are the Borneo territory. Without us – Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia would not have been formed."

“I also dare say that Sabah and Sarawak have actually subsidised Peninsula development all this while through oil and gas revenues,” he said.