KUCHING: Discussions on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) should be grounded in constitutional facts and tangible outcomes rather than political slogans.
Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap made the call in response to Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan, urging an honest and constructive discussion on MA63 based on constitutional facts and practical outcomes.
“The people of Sarawak deserve an honest discussion on MA63 based on constitutional facts and practical outcomes, not slogans or oversimplified narratives,” Yap said in a statement today.
He said that while all Sarawakians shared the aspiration of safeguarding the state’s rights, real progress depended on sound governance, strategic negotiations and, where necessary, legal action.
Yap said the Sarawak government had shown decisive leadership by pre-financing strategic infrastructure projects whenever federal funding delays threatened timely delivery, adding that this reflected the state’s own initiative rather than dependence on the federal government.
He attributed Sarawak’s stronger financial position to prudent fiscal management, strategic economic planning, the state sales tax on petroleum products, and the development of new sectors including the green economy, saying these measures had boosted the state’s financial independence.
On constitutional matters, Yap said Sarawak’s rights under Article 112D and MA63 needed to be pursued through proper constitutional processes, negotiation and, where appropriate, judicial determination, and cautioned against oversimplifying complex constitutional issues.
He listed several outcomes he credited to Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), including an increase in Sarawak’s annual Special Grant from RM16 million to RM600 million, the transfer of Bintulu Port to the state government, an expanded state role in implementing federal projects valued below RM50 million, and continued efforts to safeguard the state’s rights over its oil and gas resources.
Yap said these achievements showed that Sarawak’s rights were strengthened through persistent negotiation, sound policy and firm constitutional action rather than rhetoric.
He said GPS, under Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s leadership, remained committed to protecting the state’s constitutional rights while ensuring development continued to benefit all Sarawakians.
“Sarawak’s autonomy is not advanced through slogans alone.
“It is strengthened through sound governance, firm constitutional negotiations, strategic litigation where necessary, and prudent financial management,” he said.
