The Need for Stronger Advocacy for Sarawak's Rights
Dear YAB Premier,
With utmost respect, I write as a concerned Sarawakian to express my profound disappointment with Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) in its role in championing Sarawak’s rights and development within the Malaysian Federation.
Despite its dominant position in the state government, PBB has repeatedly failed to assert Sarawak’s rightful place and autonomy, often yielding excessively to the federal government to the detriment of our people.
Many Sarawakians feel betrayed by this failure. I do not hesitate to say out loud PBB has failed us.
Before 2014, PBB acted as little more than a proxy for UMNO, reigning supreme only within Sarawak's coalition.
At the federal level, it is a lame duck, so whatever UMNO / Barisan Nasional (BN) wants, they get it.
PBB's actions were dictated by UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN), toeing their party line without dissent.
Instead of serving the people of Sarawak, PBB served UMNO and Barisan Nasional.
This compliance undermined Sarawak’s position, relegating us to a secondary role and subjecting us to policies and legislation that stifled our growth and progress.
While we acknowledge that PBB has a limited presence in Parliament, this does not excuse its failure to effectively represent Sarawak's interests and prevent the enactment of oppressive policies that have left Sarawakians burdened by their consequences.
Because of a weak PBB, Sarawak and Sarawakians are treated like a bunch of patsies.
Today, we see your administration expending significant resources and time to undo these injustices amidst strong federal resistance.
These are our concerns that have happened and remain unresolved under the watchful eyes of PBB.
These matters are not only critical to Sarawak’s progress but also pivotal in ensuring the trust and confidence of your leadership.
1. Unresolved Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63)
The failure to fully resolve the promises of MA63 is a glaring betrayal.
It symbolizes unfulfilled commitments to Sabah and Sarawak, perpetuating feelings of marginalization, undermining national unity, and hindering equitable development.
We are expecting your administration to be more forceful in getting MA63 resolved as soon as possible.
2. Development Disparities
Sarawak lags far behind Peninsular Malaysia in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and digital connectivity.
Rural areas remain underserved, with impassable roads, under-resourced healthcare facilities, and limited access to quality education and internet services.
Given Sarawak's vast contributions to the national economy, such disparities are unjustifiable.
3. Sovereignty Over the Continental Shelf
Sarawak’s rights to manage its natural resources, particularly oil and gas, have been stripped under the Continental Shelf Act 1966 and the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA 1974).
These laws centralize control of our resources under federal authority, leaving Sarawak with only a fraction of the revenue despite being a major petroleum producer.
The creation of Petronas compounded this injustice, reducing Sarawak to a minor beneficiary of its own wealth.
Reclaiming full sovereignty over these resources is essential to respect Sarawak's constitutional rights and economic potential.
4. The Cabotage Policy
This policy perpetuates exorbitant shipping costs, making goods more expensive in Sarawak than in Peninsular Malaysia.
It stifles economic growth and competitiveness.
I highlighted only four critical issues that affect us most profoundly.
While there are numerous matters deserving attention, addressing all of them would make this letter overly lengthy.
We appreciate the efforts of your administration in striving for favourable solutions.
However, we regret to note that, as of now, we have not observed tangible or significant changes that address these pressing concerns.
Sarawakians have shown patience and resilience, but our patience is finite.
We expect our leaders to act with courage and decisiveness to safeguard our rights and secure a brighter future for all.
We expect your administration to take a more assertive stance and expedite the resolution of MA63 to restore the rights and autonomy of Sarawak.
A more balanced budget is imperative. We call on your administration to be firm and not allow the yearly budget to pass without addressing Sarawak’s development needs adequately.
Nothing short of full sovereignty over Sarawak’s continental shelf and all the natural resources will appease us.
The complete removal, not just an exemption of the cabotage policy is necessary to ensure economic fairness and unlock the full potential of Sarawak’s trade and industry.
With Perikatan Harapan now in power, PBB must avoid repeating past mistakes of being overly submissive to UMNO and Barisan Nasional. Instead, PBB must prioritize the interests of Sarawak and its people, ensuring that its voice is strong, independent, and reflective of the state's unique needs and aspirations.
This approach will ensure that Sarawak’s rights and development remain at the forefront of national priorities.
The ball is now in your court, YAB Premier. The people of Sarawak await your leadership in correcting the wrongs of the past and charting a course towards fairness, justice, and prosperity.
These are not mere requests but expectations that resonate deeply with the people of Sarawak.
Be reminded Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) holds a trump card with its significant number of parliamentary seats granting it the role of a “kingmaker”.
As a “kingmaker”, GPS should ensure every move aligns with the vision for our future legacy.
To achieve this objective, I am proposing in the future, we should secure these strategic ministerial portfolios, namely: Finance Minister, Economic Minister, Rural Development Minister and Public Works Minister.
I conclude this letter with a quote from Prof. Tajuddin in his article “Who will command the Malay vote at GE16: Anwar, Hadi or Zahid”.
It is both patronising and condescending, dismissing our ability to play a significant role in the nation’s politics and development.
He writes “The Borneo block will just sit and wait.
This block will never control Malaysia by just sitting in the safety of its own geographical and political boundaries”.
I hope this statement provokes some serious reflection.
With hope and determination,
Anak Sarawak
Winter 2024/2025
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