Federal settlement
Sabah and Sarawak within the federation
Understand the constitutional arrangements, safeguards and practical questions connected with Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia.Direct answer
Sabah and Sarawak are states in the Federation with constitutional arrangements that differ in important respects from Peninsular states. Relevant issues include legislative lists, immigration control, native law, courts, finance and safeguards for specified constitutional changes. A claim about MA63 should be matched to its exact agreement, constitutional or statutory basis.
Example from your election context
Worked example
Testing one MA63 claim
Name the claimed right, find its agreement or constitutional text, and identify whether action needs legislation, funding, administration or negotiation.
Sources: Attorney General's Chambers; Sabah State Attorney-General's Chambers
- Status
- States of the Federation
- Distinct areas
- Immigration, native law and more
- Verification
- Match claims to legal text
Malaysia's federal design is not uniform in every detail
The Federal Constitution contains provisions and schedules specific to Sabah and Sarawak, alongside the Malaysia Agreement and later laws.
- Immigration entry rules differ from movement within Peninsular Malaysia.
- Native law and institutions have specific recognition.
- Financial grants, assigned revenues and legislative competence require provision-by-provision reading.
Sources: Attorney General's Chambers; Sabah State Attorney-General's Chambers
Use precise evidence for MA63 claims
Public debate may combine the 1963 agreement, the Constitution, intergovernmental reports, later legislation, court decisions and political commitments.
- Identify the exact right, safeguard or administrative request.
- Check whether implementation requires law, funding, executive action or negotiation.
- Distinguish completed legal change from an announcement or ongoing claim.
Sources: Sabah State Attorney-General's Chambers; MyGovernment
Common questions
Are Sabah and Sarawak countries outside Malaysia?
No. They are states of the Federation, with several distinctive constitutional arrangements.
Does every MA63 issue have the same legal status?
No. Different claims may arise from the agreement, Constitution, statutes, policy commitments or negotiations.