KOTA KINABALU, November 10 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reiterated that issues under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), including Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement, must be resolved through rational dialogue and cooperation — not confrontation.
Speaking at the Rancakkan Madani programme here, Anwar said the Madani government remains fully committed to finding a fair and lasting solution through the MA63 Technical Committee led by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
“We must settle this through discussions, not by ‘going to war’. If we agree, we implement it; if not, we meet again and decide together,” he said. Earlier, during a walkabout at the Gaya Street Sunday Market, Anwar addressed a question from a member of the public about when Sabah would receive its 40 per cent entitlement.
He explained that while the federal government collects around RM10 billion in revenue from Sabah annually, it allocates approximately RM17 billion back to the state. “We give more than we collect — RM17 billion compared to RM10 billion — because we want to uplift Sabah’s development, including education, health, infrastructure, and security,” he said.
The exchange, captured on video, has since gone viral on social media. Anwar stressed that this approach reflects the government’s principle of shared prosperity and balanced development across all states, including those governed by the opposition.
“We still support Kelantan and Perlis, spending billions to address flood issues and build schools and clinics. This is our duty — to ensure every Malaysian, whether in Sabah or Perlis, can live well and with dignity,” he said.
The prime minister also highlighted that 13 of the 29 MA63 claims have been resolved so far, underscoring progress through institutional dialogue. He added that the government’s priority is to strengthen unity among Malaysia’s diverse communities.
Saying, “True leadership is not about fighting but about building trust and cooperation — among the Murut, Kadazan, Dayak, Bugis, and Suluk — for a stronger, united Malaysia.”
