🧾 Dr Jeffrey Kitingan’s MA63 Report Card: From Words to Action
Since taking office as Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has become the most consistent and outspoken defender of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) — the very foundation upon which Sabah, Sarawak, and Malaya agreed to form Malaysia.
For years, MA63 was treated as a taboo topic in national politics. Federal leaders avoided it, and local politicians feared being labeled “anti-Malaya.” But under Dr Jeffrey’s tenure, MA63 has not only returned to the centre of political discourse — it has become a constitutional and economic demand, not merely a slogan.
📍 2022: Direct Implementation, Not Committees
Shortly after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim took office in December 2022, Dr Jeffrey made a bold public statement — questioning why yet another “committee” was needed to study MA63 when it could simply be implemented immediately.
“It is our money that they collected, and they just return,”
— Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, The Borneo Post, Dec 2022.
He emphasised that Sabah’s 40% net revenue entitlement must be treated as a constitutional right, not a token of goodwill. This marked the start of a new phase — demanding action, not endless discussions.
📍 2023: Formalising Sabah’s Representation in the MA63 Technical Committee
By mid-2023, Dr Jeffrey had secured Sabah’s representation in the MA63 Technical Committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
During this period, he announced that the committee had agreed to resolve the 40% revenue issue within 12 months, a major milestone. He also began coordinating the state’s official claim to be presented through this platform.
This step gave Sabah a formal seat at the negotiating table for the first time in years, shifting MA63 discussions from emotional rhetoric to a structured, government-to-government process.
📍 2024: Official Claim and Growing Frustration
On 29 May 2024, Dr Jeffrey confirmed that the Sabah government would formally submit its claim for the return of 40% of net federal revenue collected from the state — a constitutional right enshrined in MA63.
He welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to increase interim payments (e.g. RM600 million in 2025) but warned that such payments must not be mistaken for full compliance with MA63:
“Sabah does not want to rely on interim payments. What we want is the full constitutional entitlement.”
— Malay Mail, Sept 2024.
By the end of 2024, his tone grew sharper. He publicly described MA63 implementation as “excruciatingly slow”, accusing Putrajaya of dragging its feet while key issues remained unresolved — particularly the definition of “net revenue” and the timeline for back payments.
📍 2025: Renewed Push for Resolution
Entering 2025, Dr Jeffrey continued to press for action. Ahead of the June 30 MA63 Technical Committee meeting, he declared that “something must happen”, warning that the issue could soon dominate Sabah’s political landscape.
At the Malaysia Day celebration in Keningau (September 2025), he reiterated that Sabah is not begging — it is demanding its constitutional rights. He revealed that despite repeated requests, Sabah still had not received full financial data from the Federal Government — data essential for calculating the 40% entitlement.
📍 Late 2025: Defending Autonomy Beyond Finances
Dr Jeffrey also expanded the MA63 fight beyond financial matters. He called for a joint Sabah-Sarawak legal review of federal laws that have undermined Sabah’s autonomy — such as the Territorial Sea Act 2012, Fisheries Act 1985, and Electricity Supply Act 1990 — laws that transferred control from the state to Putrajaya.
He argued that MA63 implementation is not just about money, but about respecting Sabah’s original status as an equal partner in Malaysia.
✅ Summary Report Card: What He Has Achieved
| Category | Actions & Milestones | Evaluation |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Rights (40% Entitlement) | Pushed for clear definition of “net revenue,” formalised Sabah’s claim, and fought against “interim payment” narrative. | ★★★★☆ (Major progress but still pending full implementation) |
| Legal & Autonomy Review | Called out federal overreach in key laws and urged joint legal study with Sarawak. | ★★★☆☆ (Early stage but significant step) |
| Representation in MA63 Committees | Ensured Sabah’s formal participation and active representation. | ★★★★★ |
| Public Awareness & Advocacy | Elevated MA63 from niche issue to mainstream political agenda; popularised constitutional understanding among Sabahans. | ★★★★★ |
| Pressure on Federal Government | Consistent, public, and fearless — even while being part of the ruling coalition. | ★★★★☆ |
⚖️ Final Grade: A–
Dr Jeffrey’s performance on MA63 since joining the GRS government has been strong, persistent, and principled.
While full implementation is yet to be achieved, it is clear that no other Sabah leader has kept MA63 alive and relevant in the national discourse as effectively as he has.
He transformed what was once dismissed as a “dreamer’s cause” into a constitutional demand — one backed by data, negotiation, and legal legitimacy.
MA63 was once taboo. Now it is government policy — and for that, Sabahans owe much to Dr Jeffrey’s relentless pursuit of justice for the state.
Source :
“Something must happen: Jeffrey urges swift resolution on Sabah 40pc revenue issue” -
Jeffrey: High hopes for full MA63 implementation -
Putrajaya has so far not disputed Sabah’s 40% claim -
Decision on Sabah’s 40% revenue claim expected before Malaysia Day / Finalisation via MA63 committee -
