Mr. Leslie Ting Siong Ngiap, Chairman of Parti Bumi Kenyalang (Miri Division) and Supreme Council Organising Secretary, stated that the Federal Government has yet to fully implement the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), increase Sarawak’s parliamentary representation, return ownership rights over oil and gas resources, or restore sovereignty over areas such as education, healthcare, and taxation because there is currently no political party in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly advocating for independence. As a result, the Federal Government faces no significant political pressure to make swift concessions.

Although both the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition and opposition parties have repeatedly declared their commitment to defending and pursuing Sarawak’s rights under MA63, numerous rounds of negotiations have produced limited results. The Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) has also consistently maintained that Sarawak’s rightful sovereignty over its oil and gas resources must be protected. However, despite countless negotiations, the Federal Government’s Petroleum Development Act 1974 continues to prevail over Sarawak’s own Oil Mining Ordinance 1958, while sovereignty over healthcare, education, and other key areas has yet to be restored, leaving many Sarawakians frustrated and disappointed.

“The extent to which the Federal Government is willing to return powers depends on political pressure. The Federal Government will not voluntarily surrender authority. Whether it is the ruling parties or opposition parties in Sarawak, as long as there is no independence-oriented party represented in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, Sarawak will lack a strong political bargaining position, making it difficult to achieve meaningful progress in MA63 negotiations with the Federal Government.”

 “On the other hand, if there were political parties in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly advocating for full sovereignty and independence, the Federal Government might be more willing to make concessions by devolving greater powers, granting Sarawak broader fiscal autonomy, and providing greater control over its resources in order to ease independence sentiments.”

 He further stated that if parties advocating independence were to achieve electoral breakthroughs in multiple constituencies in the upcoming Sarawak state election, the Federal Government—facing increased separatist pressure—could be compelled to repeal legislation such as the Petroleum Development Act 1974 and the Territorial Sea Act 2012, which are viewed by many as having reduced Sabah’s and Sarawak’s control over their maritime areas and oil and gas resources.

 “History has shown that in many federal systems, such as the United Kingdom’s response to Scotland and Canada’s response to Quebec, rising independence movements have often led federal governments to devolve greater powers and adopt more conciliatory measures.”

 As a political party that advocates for full sovereignty and independence, Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) believes that if it gains representation in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, whether as part of the government or the opposition, it would become an influential force capable of encouraging the Federal Government to reassess its approach to Sarawak’s autonomy issues and to fully and unconditionally implement all rights and powers provided under MA63.

 According to Mr. Leslie Ting, the most significant impact of PBK entering the Sarawak Legislative Assembly would be to send an important signal and warning to the Federal Government:

 “If Sarawak’s MA63 demands continue to remain unfulfilled over the long term, support for more radical alternatives will inevitably grow among voters.”

 He said that this signal alone could become an important source of pressure in future negotiations between Sarawak and the Federal Government, strengthening Sarawak’s bargaining position and enhancing its standing in discussions concerning MA63.

Leslie Ting Siong Ngiap
Chairman
Parti Bumi Kenyalang (Miri Division)