THE Sarawak government once again appealed to the Malaysia Madani government to be sincere and meaningful in implementing key autonomy commitments under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Deputy Premier and Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said this includes the health autonomy, education autonomy, one-third parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak, a greater share of revenue under Article 112D, respect for Sarawak as the gas aggregator, and resolving matters involving Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) as well as outstanding issues under MA63 and the IGC Report.
“I am sure our Sarawak founding fathers would not have agreed for the formation of Malaysia if they realised after formation of Malaysia, we only get 5 per cent of oil royalty for Sarawak oil, our development is far behind compare to West Malaysia,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly today.
Dr Sim, who is the Batu Kawah assemblyman, said he was puzzled and disappointment at any Malaysians who labelled the state’s push for autonomy under MA63 as “regionalism or discrimination”.
“But luckily Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has agreed in principle for MA63 to be implemented as he called it fair to the people of Sarawak and Sabah. We are grateful for his stand,” he said.
He further said for Sarawak, after 61 years of formation of Malaysia, the opportunity for the era of accelerating the state nation building is finally here.
“Lately everyone in Malaysia admires and sings praises of Sarawak. I did ask why all this admiration in this august House in May? Indeed I still come to the same conclusion because Sarawak is not divided and polarised by the 3R – Race, Religion and Royalty as in West Malaysia.
“Also I am more convinced as we don’t have Democratic Action Party (DAP) in the Sarawak government, otherwise we will also just be like the rest of West Malaysia – divisive and politicking,” he said.
He also thanked Sabah for mirroring Sarawak’s political direction.
“Thanks Sabah for following Sarawak’s footsteps. We are finally not alone in Borneo. Come 2026, Sarawak will need to follow Sabah 2025, continue to work hard and give them ‘telur’ (be brave),” he said.
He added that many Malaysians are jealous not just with the biggest State Budget of RM12.9 billion for 2026, but with a people centric budget too, with many programmes for Sarawakians.
“Selangor also just tabled the biggest ever budget for 2025 but RM3.23 billion. Johor also just tabled the biggest budget for 2026 but with RM2.5 billion.
“This is why Sarawak in 2025 is a different Sarawak from 2015. In 2015, people looked down on Sarawak. In 2025, people look up to Sarawak,” he said.
Dr Sim went on to say the period leading up to 2030 is critical as Sarawak undergoes exponential progress.
“Sarawakians need to remain united and stand in solidarity for these few critical years. We must be on high alert for ‘anai-anai’ (termites) from within and outside Sarawak,” he said.
He also urged Sarawakians to play their role in supporting the state government under Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“This is how we make a better Sarawak — for those living here, those in West Malaysia and overseas, so they can come home to work, retire and enjoy Sarawak values even if they are frustrated and disillusioned in West Malaysia or overseas. Let’s look after our home first. Sarawak First.”
