KUCHING: The Sabah Sarawak Rights Australia New Zealand (SSRANZ) non-governmental organisation (NGO) has called on the public to support Sarawak and Sabah in their ongoing efforts to restore state rights, following the federal government’s repeated failure to uphold the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
The resolution, passed at SSRANZ’s annual meeting on Dec 1, has already been endorsed by a number of NGOs and individuals.
Re-elected SSRANZ president Robert Pei highlighted the critical juncture both state governments find themselves in as they battle against persistent delays and unfulfilled promises from the federal government.
“We urge citizens to unite behind their respective governments in resisting federal encroachment and reclaiming the rights and territories of Sabah and Sarawak.
“The Sarawak government has made a strong appeal for solidarity, and it is time for all proud Sarawakians to stand firm in defending our land,” said Pei, a Melbourne-based Sarawak lawyer.
The call to action comes after more than 60 years of the federal government failing to uphold MA63, particularly in issues such as the Sarawak government’s demand for Petronas to honour an agreement that allows Sarawak’s own corporation, Petros, to control gas distribution, and the Sabah government’s request for payment of its 40 per cent revenue entitlement under the agreement.
Pei stressed that control of resources by Sabah and Sarawak is essential for their development and progress.
He pointed out that during the formation of Malaysia, there was no agreement to strip these states of their rights. However, since 1963, both states have seen their rights gradually eroded as Malaya has grown, violating the safeguards set out in MA63, the Federal Constitution, and international law.
“It is both lawful and reasonable for Sarawakians to demand their inalienable right to self-determination. I urge people across political divides to support this common cause.
“While our primary aim is to work towards Sarawak and Sabah independence, it is crucial to unite in the fight for territorial rights as part of the broader struggle for national self-determination,” he said.
During the meeting, SSRANZ reaffirmed its stance that MA63 is null and void and called on the Sarawak and Sabah governments to reconsider its validity, citing international law as a precedent.
Even if a court were to uphold MA63, Pei stressed that the treaty had already been effectively voided due to repeated violations by the federal government.
He asserted that by urging Sarawak and Sabah to take a stronger stance, pressuring the federal government to acknowledge that its repeated breaches of MA63 have effectively nullified the agreement.
He warned that if the states continue to be treated as colonies within the federation, they may need to consider alternatives outside the union.
The NGO also urged citizens to unite to protect the rights, autonomy, and defend the right to self-determination and future of Sarawak and Sabah.
