KUALA LUMPUR: The restoration of Sabah's and Sarawak's rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) must be resolved within a month, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

He said his main focus was to discuss the matter at the state government level, adding that he had been entrusted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to resolve claims regarding the agreement.

"I have also asked Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali to meet the Sabah chief minister to list the priorities for Sabah and Sarawak that can be resolved within this month.

"The rest, we will have to see first. We may have to bring it to the Dewan Rakyat. What can be discussed and finalised, we will try to do so within this month," he posted on Facebook today.

Fadillah, who is also Petra Jaya member of Parliament, said four of the five federal ministers from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) had returned to Kuching, Sarawak and paid a courtesy visit on the state Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg this evening.

He said the visit was to determine the direction from the state government and GPS on the "focus areas" of the five GPS ministers, as well as to understand Sarawak's priorities.

"We also gave a briefing on the status of the unity government that was established and the outcome of the discussions at the federal government cabinet.

"From there we will discuss our roles from GPS on the federal level in the unity government."

The other ministers who met Abang Johari were National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

Fadillah added that Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing was the only minister who was unable to return to Kuching due to prior commitments with his ministry.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2022/12/858989/fadillah-set-resolve-ma63-issue-within-month