KUCHING: Former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim recent negative claims of Sarawak and Sabah are offensive, baseless and a threat to national harmony, says Datuk Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman.
The Chief Political Secretary to the Premier condemned Zaid’s remarks, where the latter allegedly described Sabah and Sarawak as a “burden”, suggested that the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) should be abolished, and claimed the Borneo territories “should be given independence.”
“It is a sad day for Malaysia. Coming from an ex-law minister and ex-member of Parliament,” he said in a statement on his Facebook page.
Fazzrudin said such statements were “very offensive, unfounded and highly irresponsible,” adding that they insulted not only the people of Sarawak and Sabah but every Malaysian who had contributed to the formation and strengthening of the nation.
“MA63 is not a political plaything. It is an internationally recognised agreement and a constitutional instrument that enabled the formation of Malaysia.
“It cannot simply be dismissed to fit personal prejudices or political provocation,” he stressed.
He warned that belittling MA63 was equivalent to undermining Malaysia itself.
“Such remarks show a serious disregard for the rule of law, constitutional principles and historical truth,” he added.
Describing Sabah and Sarawak as a “burden” while calling for their removal or “independence,” he said, was divisive and dangerous.
“This kind of rhetoric fuels hostility between regions, breeds dissatisfaction, and risks damaging the harmony Malaysians have built over decades,” he said.
Fazzrudin reaffirmed that Sarawak’s position was firm and unwavering.
“We will not allow any attempt to challenge Malaysia’s sovereignty and Sarawak’s constitutional rights through irresponsible statements that distort history,” he said.
He added that Zaid’s remarks clearly incited discord, threatened public harmony and undermined the federal constitutional structure.
“Calling two Malaysian territories a ‘burden’ is not political analysis—it is direct provocation.
“It risks creating tension among Malaysians. I strongly reject such dangerous rhetoric,” Fazzrudin said
He also noted that Malaysia was built on cooperation, dignity and shared responsibility.
“We cannot allow irresponsible words from any individual to undermine our unity and harmony,” he said.
