KUCHING – The Joint Action Committee for Health Development under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) continues to make progress despite challenges posed by ongoing elections in Johor and Negeri Sembilan.
On 29 July 2026, the committee, co-chaired by Malaysia’s Minister of Health and Sarawak’s Deputy Premier, Dr Sim Kui Hian, held a key meeting.
Due to election commitments of federal ministers, the session was conducted via Zoom, with the Minister of Health, Datuk Seri Dr Zul, joining remotely from his vehicle.
The meeting also involved senior officials from the Ministry of Health, Permanent Secretary Datu Elizabeth, Deputy Sarawak Attorney-General Datu John, and the Medical Advisor to the Ministry of Public Health, Local Government and Housing (MPHLG).
The discussions were described as challenging, reflecting the complex nature of coordinating health development initiatives across federal and state levels, with progress described as “two steps forward, one step back.”
Looking ahead, the biennial Technical Committee Meeting under the Action Committee for the Implementation of MA63 (#MPTMA63) is scheduled for 3 August 2026. This session will be chaired by YAB Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Sarawak’s Minister of Works.
Further high-level engagement is planned for 11 September 2026 in Kota Kinabalu, where Prime Minister YAB Anwar Ibrahim will co-chair the annual final MA63 meeting alongside Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and Sabah Chief Minister YAB Hajiji Noor.
These meetings reflect ongoing efforts to ensure the effective implementation of MA63, which remains vital for coordinating development and governance between the federal government and Sarawak, alongside Sabah and other states.
