Leaders in Sarawak have openly stated they will push Putrajaya to secure a more equitable distribution of resources and enhanced self-governance as per the 1963 Malaysia Agreement. After convening the state cabinet in Kuching, Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg and his deputies emphasised that their requests reflect the foundational conditions under which Sarawak (and Sabah) entered Malaysia—conditions, they assert, have not been fully upheld.

Highlights of the Sarawak administration’s stance:

1. Reexamine the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63)
• Sarawak’s officials maintain that MA63 conferred unique privileges on the state—covering land, mineral resources, immigration and religious affairs—that have been diminished by successive federal governments.
• They are urging Putrajaya to reinstate these powers, not just legislatively but in actual implementation, especially concerning native customary lands and forestry oversight.

2. Boost oil and gas revenue allocations
• At present, Sarawak gets a 5% royalty on offshore petroleum, a level officials deem insufficient and propose to uplift to 20%, mirroring frameworks in other hydrocarbon-producing areas.
• They also demand federal law changes—like revising the Petroleum Development Act—to grant the state stronger authority over upstream operations and the right to levy taxes and receive dividends firsthand.

3. Expand federal development funding
• Sarawak is seeking a higher portion of the yearly federal development funds, highlighting that its low-density population and extensive rural territories demand greater per-person expenditure.
• They stress that if Putrajaya genuinely endorses “unity in diversity,” it must substantiate the motto with adequate investment in infrastructure, education, healthcare and rural links.

4. Amend constitutional and statutory provisions
• Besides MA63, the state cabinet plans to review suggested revisions to the Federal Constitution to formally recognise Sarawak as an equal federal partner.
• They might pursue a “special category” status for Sarawak and Sabah, similar to that accorded to certain regions in other federations.

Abang Johari underlined that Sarawak is not demanding exclusivity but merely the rights it regards as promised at Malaysia’s creation. “We only seek fairness,” he remarked, noting that any gains would serve the entire country by tapping Sarawak’s full resource potential and enhancing its population’s welfare.

Meanwhile, federal officials have recognised Sarawak’s grievances, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently indicating his willingness to negotiate on MA63 and resource distribution. In the weeks ahead, it remains to be seen if Putrajaya will shift from talks to tangible amendments in law and budget allocations.

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