SIBU: Any future Federal Government that sidelines Sarawak and Sabah simply because it no longer depends on the support of their parliamentary representatives would be undermining the very foundations upon which Malaysia was established, said Bawang Assan assemblyman Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh.
Wong stressed that the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is a constitutional obligation—not a political bargaining chip—and warned that any attempt to weaken the rights of the Borneo states would come at Malaysia’s own peril.
His remarks follow growing political speculation that Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) could potentially form the next Federal Government without relying on the support of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
Wong, who is also Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Senior Vice President, said such a scenario raises a far more significant issue than parliamentary numbers.
“The real question is whether Peninsular-based political parties will continue to respect the constitutional rights of Sarawak and Sabah if they are able to govern without us,” he said.
While acknowledging that GPS and GRS could lose political leverage in Putrajaya if they are no longer needed to secure a parliamentary majority, Wong emphasised that constitutional rights cannot be measured by political convenience.
He said Sarawak and Sabah are founding partners in the formation of Malaysia and not merely political appendages or “fixed deposits” whose importance rises and falls with electoral arithmetic.
According to him, the MA63, the Federal Constitution and the constitutional safeguards accorded to both Borneo states are binding commitments that every Federal Government must honour, regardless of which coalition is in power.
“No Federal Government has either the moral or constitutional authority to decide whether it wishes to implement MA63. It is duty-bound to do so faithfully,” he stressed.
He warned that any Federal administration choosing to marginalise Sarawak and Sabah would face serious long-term consequences.
He said implementation of MA63 could slow significantly, particularly in negotiations involving fiscal autonomy, administrative authority, healthcare, education, petroleum resources, revenue sharing and other constitutional matters requiring genuine political commitment.
At the same time, he said such an approach would only strengthen regional consciousness among Sarawakians and Sabahans, who are becoming increasingly aware of their constitutional rights and expect the promises made in 1963 to be fully honoured.
He also cautioned that federal-state relations could deteriorate if mutual trust between Putrajaya and the two Borneo states is eroded, affecting governance, economic planning and national development.
Beyond politics, Wong noted that Malaysia’s long-term economic interests are closely linked to Sarawak and Sabah, given their critical contributions to national energy security, natural resources, food production, environmental sustainability and strategic maritime interests.
“Malaysia cannot be governed solely through the lens of Peninsular politics,” he said, adding that the Federation was founded on the principles of partnership, constitutional equality, mutual respect and shared responsibility.
Wong called on all political parties in Peninsular Malaysia—including BN, PN, Pakatan Harapan and any future coalition—to publicly reaffirm their commitment to the full implementation of MA63, stressing that the constitutional rights of Sarawak and Sabah must never depend on which coalition forms the Federal Government.
He also urged political leaders in both Sarawak and Sabah to remain united in defending the constitutional rights and legitimate interests of their people, regardless of political affiliation.
“The strongest guarantee of our constitutional rights is not merely participation in the Federal Cabinet, but the unity of the people and political leaders of Sarawak and Sabah,” he said.
Wong pointed out that history has shown rights left undefended will eventually be eroded, while those protected through unity, wisdom and constitutional means will endure.
He stressed that implementing MA63 is neither a favour nor a political concession, but a constitutional obligation and a debt of honour that remains central to preserving Malaysia’s unity.
“As the nation moves towards the next General Election, the real issue is not whether GPS or GRS is needed to form the Federal Government. The real issue is whether whoever forms the Federal Government remains committed to the founding principles of Malaysia,” he said.
