Bintulu: Sarawak’s rightful status and autonomy under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) are fundamental constitutional rights and must never be exploited for political gain, said DAP Bintulu Branch Chairman Chiew Chan Yew.
Chiew stressed that Sarawak joined Malaysia as a “State of the Federation”, a commitment explicitly written at the formation of the nation.
Fighting for MA63 today, he said, is not an act of regionalism but a defence of rights that inherently belong to the people of Sarawak.
His remarks came in response to Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr. Sim Kui Hian, who recently claimed that some people are framing MA63 as regionalist politics.
Chiew said that if one truly wishes to talk about ‘disappointment and puzzlement,’ then one must return to the real historical facts.
He pointed to the 1976 constitutional amendment that reclassified Sarawak from a “State” to a “State within the Federation.”
According to him, the move was supported by six Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Members of Parliament, as reflected in official parliamentary records.
He also highlighted SUPP’s support in 1974 for the Petroleum Development Act, which transferred control of Sarawak’s oil and gas resources to the Federal Government. “The consequences of those decisions are still felt by Sarawakians today,” he said.
“Simply put, those who pressed the ‘yes’ button back then were the ones in power. But those most deeply affected by the outcome have always been the ordinary people,” Chiew stated.
Chiew pointed out that during the era when Sarawak Barisan Nasional held the greatest concentration of power, Sarawak’s statehood status and resource rights were steadily eroded.
“This clearly shows that when a political system lacks effective oversight and checks and balances, it becomes the easiest environment in which decisions that sacrifice the people’s interests are made.
“The people have the right to know, and the responsibility to remember, how over the past several decades, those who held the greatest power chose at critical moments to give away Sarawak’s most important status and resources,” he stressed.
He further emphasised that in Parliament, the DAP has consistently opposed any move to weaken East Malaysia’s status, firmly defended the Malaysia Agreement, and demanded genuine equal treatment among the states.
“When Barisan Nasional, including parties that are now allies of GPS, chose to support those moves, it was DAP that stood in the minority to oppose them. Whether on statehood status, petroleum resources, or various aspects of autonomy, our position has never changed — MA63 is non-negotiable.”
In conclusion, Chiew stressed that for the Malaysia Agreement to be truly implemented, autonomy must return to the people, not be concentrated in a small group in power. Therefore, a strong opposition force with real oversight is absolutely indispensable for Sarawak.
“Without supervision, power is most easily abused; without checks and balances, the people are the ones who suffer most. History has already given us the clearest lesson.”
