KUCHING: The Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) has intensified its call for the federal government to restore powers that were taken from Sarawak, urging that the state’s rightful authority be promptly reinstated.
SUPP Secretary-General Datuk Sebastian Ting pointed to recent remarks by Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, as timely and significant.
Wan Junaidi had delivered the Statesman’s Lecture at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) recently, offering a comprehensive analysis of MA63, the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report, and the Cobbold Commission Report.
“The Governor offered profound interpretations and unique insights, enabling all present to gain a deeper understanding of historical facts and Sarawak’s inherent rights,” Ting said in a press statement today (Sept 27).
SUPP reiterated its longstanding demands, including the restoration of judicial powers that Sarawak enjoyed prior to the 1985 constitutional amendment. At the time, the state’s and Sabah’s chief minister had an advisory role in appointing judicial commissioners—a power that was later centralised under federal authority.
“Restoring these rights is a matter of constitutional entitlement and justice,” Ting emphasized, urging Putrajaya to include this in current MA63 negotiations.
The party also supported the Governor’s call for greater state autonomy over citizenship determination, especially in light of the ongoing issue of stateless children in Sarawak.
Ting noted that the federal process remains lengthy and complex, and argued that more local decision-making authority could expedite resolutions.
“SUPP has, over the years, handled countless cases involving stateless children. We firmly believe that if Sarawak is granted greater decision-making authority, such cases can be resolved more swiftly and effectively,” he added.
Another issue raised was the Continental Shelf Act 1966, which SUPP says was wrongly extended to Sarawak without consent.
Ting regards the move a “serious constitutional error” that violated Sarawak’s sovereignty and must be corrected.
He also called for equal partnership within the Malaysian federation, grounded in the original spirit of MA63.
“The core spirit of the Malaysia Agreement is equality and partnership.
“Any unilateral constitutional amendments or federal decisions that deviate from this spirit undermine Sarawak’s rightful status as a founding partner of Malaysia.”
SUPP called on Sarawakians to remain united in defending the rights fought for by their forefathers, and pledged to continue advocating for the full implementation of the state’s constitutional entitlements.
“SUPP pledges to continue advocating, at both political and legal levels to ensure that Sarawak enjoys fair, equitable, and constitutionally guaranteed entitlements.”
