SIBU: The United Chinese Association (UCA) Sibu Division fully support the Sarawak government under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for persistently pursuing legal avenues to reclaim the autonomy and rights granted to Sarawak under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Pointing out this, a press statement from UCA Sibu Division today (Dec 12) highlighted that when Malaysia was formed in 1963, the international agreement promised Sarawak various rights, but in the years that followed, these promises were violated.
“The federal government unilaterally amended the constitution and laws unfavourable to East Malaysia under emergency ordinances, and Sarawak’s parliamentary representatives blindly complied. The most serious issue was the Petroleum Development Act 1974, which deprived Sarawak of control over its oil and gas resources.
“In 1976, Sarawak’s status was downgraded to one of 13 states. Then, after the emergency ordinance was abolished in 2012, the federal government unilaterally amended the Territorial Sea Act, stripping Sarawak of sovereignty over its 12 miles territorial waters, reducing it to just three miles. Beyond the three miles zone, Sarawak had no jurisdiction, allowing federal departments to exploit the resources.
“For example, foreign fishermen were fishing in Sarawak’s waters and vast amounts of oil and gas were extracted and sent to West Malaysia without Sarawak’s knowledge. Over the past 30 years, the federal government has taken billions of ringgit from Sarawak each year, with only a small portion of the extracted oil and gas allocated for Sarawak’s use,” it said.
In 1999, according to the statement, the federal Ministry of Finance launched a plan to merge Sarawak’s local banks with large banks in West Malaysia, leading to the eventual complete control of Sarawak’s financial system by West Malaysia. Additionally, in terms of annual development allocations, amounts of five to six billion ringgit were only for these two years.
Although Sarawak regained its state status in 2023, significant progress has been slow and minimal, the statement said, adding, what is even more infuriating is that the PETRONAS has challenged Sarawak’s sovereignty twice.
The Prime Minister recently mentioned in his speech in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) that the MA63 should be included in the state’s school textbooks, which is an excellent suggestion, the statement said, and that for the older generation who lived through Sarawak’s formation of Malaysia, they have a clear understanding of this historical process.
“However, we are deeply concerned that the younger generation is paying little attention to this history, and with the current federal textbooks deliberately minimising this period. After many years, there will be a gradual loss of recognition of Sarawak.
“We sincerely hope Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will return all the rights granted to Sarawak under the MA63 agreement within the shortest possible time. Let alone Sarawak government plays an important role in Madani government.
“This year, the Sarawak government took over the Bintulu Port, Affin Bank, and is also set to acquire MASwings Airlines by the end of this month. These are undoubtedly significant progress. Sarawak’s strategic layout in key sectors such as transportation, finance, and aviation, and its control over core resources, will lay a foundation for future economic growth and development.
“Of course, we also hope for professional and good management, ensuring that sovereignty is not used by individuals with ulterior motives, but for the welfare of all Sarawakians,” the statement added.
