Kuching: I welcome the official return of Bintulu Port to the full administration of Sarawak. This historic development demonstrates that under the moderate and progressive framework of the Unity Government led by Pakatan Harapan, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is receiving unprecedented attention and commitment from the Federal Government, allowing Sarawak to gradually reclaim powers and rights that rightfully belong to us.
As Sarawakians, we can clearly see that the Unity Government under Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim has shown stronger political will and determination in implementing the rights and safeguards accorded to Sarawak under MA63.
The transfer of Bintulu Port did not happen overnight. From the announcement made during the Federal Budget in late 2023 to its official handover in June 2026, the entire process took only about two and a half years. Within that period, the necessary legislation, negotiations, and agreements were successfully completed. This reflects the Federal Government’s seriousness in restoring Sarawak’s rights and its efficiency in implementing MA63-related devolution.
To facilitate this transfer, DAP Secretary-General and Minister of Transport Anthony Loke tabled the Bintulu Port Authority (Dissolution) Bill in Parliament in July 2024, where it was successfully passed. This was a crucial step in paving the way for Bintulu Port’s return to Sarawak administration.
After nearly two years of negotiations and coordination, this landmark agreement has finally become a reality. The people of Sarawak have witnessed that the return of Bintulu Port was achieved through the efforts and commitment of the Unity Government led by Pakatan Harapan.
This achievement belongs not only to the government, but also to every Sarawakian who has consistently supported reform and fairness. It was the courage of Sarawak voters in the 2018 General Election, when many chose Pakatan Harapan and demanded change, that elevated the issue of Sarawak rights into a national priority.
Had Sarawak’s leaders remained comfortably within the old Barisan Nasional framework, the prospect of meaningful devolution and the restoration of Sarawak’s rights might have remained a distant aspiration.
While Sarawak-based parties subsequently left Barisan Nasional and formed Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), this does not erase the historical reality that many of Sarawak’s rights were gradually eroded during decades of BN rule. These include the surrender of Sarawak’s oil and gas rights and the downgrading of Sarawak’s position from that of a founding partner to being treated as merely one of thirteen states.
Discussions about Sarawak rights must be grounded in facts rather than political narratives. The reason we continue to pursue rectification through MA63 mechanisms today is because there were genuine rights and powers that had been diminished in the past. Only by acknowledging these realities can we continue moving forward in restoring what rightfully belongs to Sarawak.
The Unity Government understands that the trust and support given by Sarawakians cannot be taken for granted. That is why promises must be fulfilled through action rather than rhetoric.
The return of Bintulu Port is clear proof that the Unity Government does not take the people’s trust lightly. Pakatan Harapan has always believed in delivering through institutional reforms and concrete policies rather than using Sarawak rights as mere election slogans. The facts speak for themselves — Pakatan Harapan not only makes promises, but also delivers results.
The return of Bintulu Port marks an important beginning, not the end of the journey. There remain many areas involving MA63 and the spirit of the Federal Constitution that require further implementation and reform. The Unity Government will continue to work closely with the Sarawak Government to accelerate the restoration of Sarawak’s rights and powers.
Sarawakians do not want empty slogans; they want results. They do not want political theatre; they want implementation. The progress achieved over the past three years has demonstrated that under Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership, MA63 is no longer merely a document or a political promise. It is a national commitment that is being progressively fulfilled.
Pakatan Harapan will not betray the trust placed in us by the people of Sarawak. We will continue to pursue reforms and work tirelessly to restore more of Sarawak’s rightful powers, ensuring that the people can see tangible progress and experience meaningful change. Together, we can build a fairer, more progressive Malaysia that truly honours the spirit and principles of MA63.
George Lam
DAPSY Sarawak Secretary
22 June 2026
