At its annual meeting on December 1, 2024, the Sabah Sarawak Rights Australia New Zealand NGO (SSRANZ), passed a resolution urging public support for the Sarawak and Sabah governments in their efforts to restore state rights. A number of NGOs and individuals have endorsed this initiative.
Re-elected SSRANZ President Robert Pei highlighted that both governments are at a critical juncture in their battle for state rights amid persistent and recalcitrant federal delays and unfulfilled promises.

“We urge all 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 steadfast in defending our land” said Pei, a Melbourne-based Sarawak lawyer.
This issue has reached a critical point after 60 years of the federal government's failure to uphold the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and repeated breaches of its commitments. This is highlighted by the Sarawak government’s insistence that PETRONAS honours the agreement allowing PETROS, Sarawak’s petroleum corporation, to control gas distribution, while the Sabah government demands payment of its 40% revenue entitlement under MA63.
The control of resources by Sabah and Sarawak is an essential, inalienable right, crucial for their development and progress. At no point during treaty negotiations between the United Kingdom and Malaya was there an agreement to cede these sovereign rights of the two UK colonies to Malaya under MA63. One of the declared main objectives of Malaysia formation by the Malayan takeover of Sabah and Sarawak was to develop them. However, since 1963, these rights have been unlawfully stripped away to develop Malaya in violation of the Federal Constitution’s entrenched MA63 safeguards, the Basic Structure Doctrine, and international law.
The SSRANZ President affirmed that it is both lawful and reasonable for Sarawakians to demand their inalienable right to self-determination, urging people across political divides to support this common cause. While SSRANZ’s primary aim is to work for Sarawak and Sabah independence, Pei emphasised the importance of uniting in the fight for territorial rights as part of the broader struggle for national self-determination.
During the meeting, SSRANZ reaffirmed its stance that the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is null and void from the outset, calling on the Sarawak and Sabah governments to examine the question that MA63 was invalid and Malaysia was not lawfully constituted in alignment with the principle of self-determination (UNGAR 1514), citing the International Court of Justice’s 2019 Chagos Islands case as precedent.
The meeting concluded that even if MA63 were found to be valid by a court of law, the international treaty had long been terminated or voided due to the federal government's multiple violations. The seizure of their maritime resources rights, alteration of their pre-Malaysia boundaries and control of continental shelves and alteration agreed concept of a secular state are just a few examples.

Several motions were passed, including the following key actions:
1. Federal government’s compliance
• Support the Sarawak government’s demands that Petronas immediately complies with the Petros gas distribution agreement;
• Support the Sabah Government’s demands for immediate payment of Sabah’s MA63 40% revenue entitlements and penalties.
2. State Legislative Assembly Action:
• Urge the Sarawak and Sabah governments to pass motions formally rejecting the Continental Shelf Act 1966 (CSA66), Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA74), ACT 354A (1976) and Territorial Sea Act 2012 (TSA2012) as violations of MA63 and the Federal Constitution.
• Advocate more forcefully for the restoration of petroleum resource rights and territorial boundaries to Sarawak and Sabah.

3. Legislative Repeals and Amendments:
• Call on the federal parliament to repeal or amend laws that infringe on Sarawak and Sabah’s rights.

4. Parliamentary Representation:
• Demand the reinstatement of the “no two-thirds rule” (34.6%) seat allocation in the Dewan Rakyat by increasing Sabah and Sarawak’s parliamentary seats in accordance with MA63.
• Advocate for the expulsion of Malayan political parties from Sarawak and Sabah, which breach the MA63 entrenched guaranteed seat allocation right.

The SSRANZ President emphasised that the Sarawak and Sabah governments should now leverage their demands by impressing on the federal government that its repeated breaches of MA63 have fundamentally terminated or voided the international agreement, making it no longer binding. These violations have seen state resources being diverted to develop Malaya and fund the creation of a race religion apartheid system replacing the MA63 secular system while keeping the 2 territories poor and underdeveloped. After years of patiently waiting, it is time for the two states to assert their position and consider whether staying in the federation as mere colonies is in their best interests, while exploring alternatives outside the union.

In the meantime, SSRANZ urge citizens to unite in this critical fight to protect the rights, autonomy, and defend the right to self-determination and future of Sarawak and Sabah.
-End statement-
SSRANZ PRESS STATEMENT
Signed: 07/12/2024
Robert S. Pei
President of Sabah Sarawak Rights Australia New Zealand (SSRANZ)
Mosses PA Ampang,
President of Republic Sabah North Borneo (RSNB)

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Endorsed by a cross-section of NGOs and individuals.
1. Daniel John Jambun President Borneo's Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo)
2. Peter John Jaban Founder Sarawakians for Sarawak & Saya Anak Sarawak
3. Alim GA Mideh, Bulang Birieh Civil Movement
4. Voon Lee Shan President Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK)
5. Yu Chin Lik – Life President of PBK
6. Patrick Anek Uren. Lawyer & Former MP
7. Patrick KK Teo Sarawak Freedom Group
8. Jovilis Majami -President Persatuan Pembangunan Sosial Sabah (BANGUN)
9. Ricky Ganang- Penasihat Forum Adat Dataran Tanah Tinggi Borneo (FORMADAT)
10. Waynin Setimin- President Persatuan Prihatin Mualaf Sabah.
11. Cleftus Stephen Mojingo-President Pertubuhan Kebajikan Rumpun Dayak Sabah