Sarawak’s Proposal for MA63 Committee Restructuring Gains Federal Support
Serian, Sarawak – January 19, 2026 – A proposal by the Sarawak state government too restructure the Technical Committee under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) has received positive feedback from federal Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.The Minister indicated that the proposed changes are viewed as a positive step towards more effective management and implementation of the malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Dr. Dzulkefly affirmed the importance of considering all proposals put forth by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, stating they deserve the full attention of the federal government. He expressed his support for the restructuring, believing it would streamline processes and improve overall efficiency.
“In my view, the proposal is very positive and should be considered to improve the process,” Dr. dzulkefly stated to reporters following the opening of new health clinics in Serian and Siburan. He further noted that with the appointment of a dedicated minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for sabah and Sarawak, Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, the proposal can be effectively raised through the appropriate governmental channels.
The proposed restructuring aims to broaden the committee’s scope by including key agencies such as the Finance Ministry, the Economic Planning Unit, and the Public Service Department. Dr. dzulkefly highlighted the rationale behind this expansion, explaining that health-related issues under MA63 frequently necessitate collaboration across multiple ministries and agencies before final decisions can be reached.
The Sarawak state government has been encouraged to formally submit its proposal to the MA63 main secretariat, housed within the sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division (BHESS) in the Prime Minister’s Department.
This progress underscores the ongoing commitment to fulfilling the promises enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963, particularly concerning the equitable distribution of resources and responsibilities between the federal government and the states of Sabah and Sarawak. Dr. Dzulkefly and Dr.Sim also co-chair the Sarawak Joint Action Committee on Health Development, a platform dedicated to addressing strategic health sector issues within the state, aligning with the spirit of MA63.
New Healthcare Facilities to Benefit Local Communities
Alongside the discussion of MA63 implementation, Dr. Dzulkefly also officiated the opening of the RM28.7 million siburan Health Clinic and the RM23.9 million Serian Health Clinic. These new facilities are designed to serve approximately 81,000 residents in Siburan and 85,000 residents in Serian, respectively.
Both clinics are equipped to function as one-stop healthcare centers, capable of handling up to 500 patients daily, and are expected to alleviate congestion at larger regional hospitals. The opening of these clinics represents a significant investment in healthcare infrastructure for the region and demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving access to quality medical services for all Malaysians.
Keywords: Malaysia Agreement 1963, MA63, Sarawak, Sabah, Health Minister, Dr.Dzulkefly Ahmad,Dr. Sim Kui Hian, MTPMA63, Health Clinics, serian, Siburan, Healthcare infrastructure, Federal Government, state Government.
