As part of the Perdana Discourse forum series, the Oriental Hearts & Minds Study Institute (OHMSI), in collaboration with Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM), organized a special lecture titled “Fifty Shades of Federalism” on 15th February 2025 to address the ongoing debate surrounding the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and Malaysia’s federal structure.
The event examined the complexities of Malaysia’s identity as a federation, questioning whether the nation operates as a Federation of States, a Federation of Territories, or a Confederation. The keynote lecture was delivered by Professor Shad Saleem Faruqi, followed by expert commentary from distinguished panelists, including former Sarawak State Attorney General Dato Sri Fong Joo Chung, author and columnist Datuk Dr. Joe Samad, legal expert Andrew Khoo, and Mr. Voon Lee Shan, President of Parti Bumi Kenyalang. The discussion was moderated by Steven B.E. Fung, MA (Oxon).
The event, attended by 150 participants, including Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Jeffrey G. Kitingan, successfully fostered constitutional literacy and public awareness on federalism, governance, and the historical grievances tied to MA63.