"The MA63 Bombshell!!" - "Will Failure To Honour It Allow PN To Recapture Putrajaya…?!!"

OPINION | "The MA63 Bombshell!!" - "Will Failure To Honour It Allow PN To Recapture Putrajaya…?!!"


5 Dec 2025 • 8:00 AM MYT


JK Joseph
Repentant ex-banker who believes in truth, compassion and some humour

Prominent lawyer and podcaster Zaid Ibrahim had allegedly hinted at Sarawak and Sabah pursuing independence if they were not happy! Credit Image: Sinar Daily (File pix) / Focus Malaysia / Straits Times (File photo).


A recent heated discourse on the subject of MA63 has inadvertently sparked debate on the fate of two pivotal states in the Federation, and how the opposition PN could potentially “regain” power to rule the country!


It seems like ex-law minister Zaid Ibrahim’s recent jibe aimed at Sabah and Sarawak has touched a raw nerve in the two Bornean states where conversations on the MA63 and “secession” are considered sensitive - and even taboo - by certain quarters.


In fact, only last week the youth wing of Sarawak’s powerful Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), in a strongly worded statement, had called on the vocal ex-UMNO MP to openly apologise to the people of Sarawak and Sabah; it was over his recent viral video describing both states as a “burden” to the nation – and suggesting that the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) be revoked!


According to the movement, the MA63 is a foundational document of the Malaysian federation and its terms must be honoured, not questioned; it further stressed that calls for Sarawak and Sabah to be granted ‘"independence" or “removed” from Malaysia after 62 years is extreme and may be deemed “seditious”.


MA63 is an internationally recognised agreement and a “constitutional instrument” integral to the formation of Malaysia.


Meanwhile, Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) Sarawak had also likewise slammed Zaid for his recent podcast comments, describing it as ‘deeply offensive and historically ignorant’, while pointing out that it appeared to expose a profound misunderstanding of the nation’s foundation.

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For context, the former Kota Baru MP who is well-known for speaking his mind, had allegedly argued in a popular podcast that fulfilling Sabah and Sarawak’s rights under the MA63 – including the 40 per cent net revenue return – would place a significant financial strain on Putrajaya.


Zaid had also allegedly hinted that the two states should be allowed to leave - if they were dissatisfied.


Interestingly, Zaid’s candid comments would have also unintentionally sparked a debate on the likely political fallout in the country if for some reason the terms of the agreement is not fulfilled, leading to the unthinkable – which is, the two states actually bidding farewell!


Would PAS and Bersatu be quietly “thanking their lucky stars” if ever the country's two largest states decide to exit…?


Truth be told, PAS in particular has made very little headway in the two East Malaysian states and its leaders are fully aware of the negative perception of the party there due to its religious rhetoric and ideology; unless of course it drops its favoured “moral policing” tendencies and identity politics - and instead broadens its appeal using a more inclusive approach.


But without Sabah and Sarawak in the “political equation”, wouldn't PAS benefit the most in a General Election?


Come to think of it, in terms of parliamentary seats, the main loser may well be the DAP which has a fairly loyal support base especially among the Chinese in Sarawak; likewise, UMNO could also lose out substantially in Sabah.


Moreover, minus the ethnically diverse East Malaysian states, the percentage of Malay-Muslims in the country will naturally increase; wouldn't this then give Malay-centric parties such as PAS, Bersatu and UMNO the upper hand - and the impetus - to form the federal government?


For the record, Sabah currently has 25 parliamentary seats while Sarawak has 31, which adds up to 56 out of the 222 seats for the whole nation: without the two states the total seats in the peninsula will be reduced to 166, from which only a simple majority is needed to form the federal government.

Source: News headline and image (photo by Saiyuti Zainudin) from The Malay Mail dated 13 Sept 2025.


As PAS currently holds 43 seats, it's certainly not beyond the opposition PN coalition to capture Putrajaya with a “simple majority” especially if its main partner Bersatu performs well.


Could that also be the reason why PMX had recently pledged to increase the number of parliamentary seats for the two Bornean states? Was it part of a broader political strategy by him to deploy the two giant states as a buffer against the opposition's “green wave” in GE16?


Coming back to the MA63…


In conclusion, keeping the two East Malaysian states is absolutely necessary in order to preserve the unique multiethnic character and soul of the nation; but more significantly, Putrajaya is legally obliged to honor the MA63, as it is the sacred “matrimonial” contract which binds the two regions together; without which, there won't be a Malaysia - only Malaya! Surely Zaid and others would be fully aware of this.


Notes to Ponder: Perhaps, what some concerned ones in the peninsula will be asking though is: shouldn't they have “demanded” for their full rights under the agreement much earlier?