DAP should stop lecturing Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) on how best to serve the people of Sarawak and Sabah. If DAP genuinely claims to uphold democracy, equality, and federalism, it must clearly and publicly answer one fundamental question: Does DAP recognise the right of the peoples of Sarawak and Sabah to determine their own political future?

This right inherently includes the freedom to express—through peaceful, democratic, and lawful means—whether they wish to remain within the Malaysian federation or seek a different constitutional and political future, including independence.

This is neither an extremist nor a radical proposition. It is a matter of basic democratic consent: the future of a people must ultimately be decided by the people themselves.

The formation of Malaysia was never meant to treat Sarawak and Sabah as mere territorial extensions of Malaya. The political union was established upon distinct constitutional assurances and autonomy. Furthermore, the principle of self-determination is firmly anchored in international law, including UN General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV), which guarantees all peoples the right to freely determine their political status.

DAP cannot continue to evade this core issue by claiming PBK is "neglecting the daily concerns of the people." A nation's political future, constitutional status, and control over its natural resources are the daily concerns of its citizens.

DAP must therefore answer the Borneo territories openly and unambiguously:

Does DAP recognise that the peoples of Sarawak and Sabah possess the fundamental right to self-determination?

Will DAP support a parliamentary debate on the political status, constitutional rights, and future of Sarawak and Sabah?

Will DAP support a peaceful, democratic, and lawful mechanism allowing Borneans to freely decide their political destiny?

If DAP rejects this right, upon what democratic or legal principles does it justify doing so?

For decades, Sarawakians have been promised an equal partnership. Yet, our authority over resources, territorial waters, and local development has been systematically eroded by federal laws enacted from Kuala Lumpur.

When DAP entered the Federal Government, it failed to restore full control over Sarawak's oil and gas. Today, as part of the ruling coalition, DAP has still failed to repeal or fundamentally reform oppressive legislation—such as the Petroleum Development Act 1974, the Territorial Sea Act 2012, and the Continental Shelf Act 1966—nor has it returned the full revenues rightfully owed to Sarawak and Sabah.

DAP cannot claim to champion democracy while denying Borneans the right to choose their future. Nor can it claim to defend federalism while remaining silent on laws that strip Borneo of its autonomy. History has not forgotten that DAP was originally brought into Sarawak in the 1970s following internal political disgruntlement over ministerial posts.

PBK hereby challenges DAP to bring this issue to Parliament. Let DAP table, debate, and declare its stand. Let the public see whether DAP truly believes in the democratic rights of Sarawakians and Sabahans—or whether it merely exists to maintain Malayan political hegemony.

PBK’s stand remains unshakeable:

The future of Sarawak and Sabah belongs solely to their peoples.

Any constitutional transition must be pursued peacefully, democratically, and in alignment with international law.

No political party headquartered outside Borneo has the moral authority to dictate our destiny.

The people must decide. Sarawak’s future belongs to Sarawakians. Sabah’s future belongs to Sabahans. No party claiming to represent the people should fear allowing the people to speak.

By Voon Lee Shan

President, Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK)