By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 25: Sarawak activist Peter John Jaban is calling on Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUNS) to boldly declare Sarawak’s full autonomy under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) during the upcoming special sitting on July 7.
In response to media speculation that the sitting will focus primarily on electoral reform, Peter John believes that Sarawak would be better served by taking a decisive step toward reclaiming the autonomy promised at the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
“The MA63 Special Cabinet Committee has existed since 2018. While there has been progress — particularly with constitutional amendments to Articles 1(2), 160(2), 161A(6), and 161A(7), proposed by our current Governor — the core issue of Sarawak’s autonomy continues to be bogged down in prolonged negotiations with Putrajaya,” he said in a statement today.
His remarks followed a June 20 notice announcing that the DUNS will convene a one-day special sitting on July 7 under Meeting Order 8(3), though no official agenda has been released.
Peter John, who is also the deputy president of the Global Human Rights Federation, commended Abang Johari’s leadership in asserting Sarawak’s role in key sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and oil and gas — notably through the establishment of Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS).
However, he stressed that Sarawak must now take the next step by enacting legislation that reclaims its rightful powers under MA63.
“The push to provide redress of the historical loss of seats in the federal parliament and, most importantly, the veto power of the Borneo States as enshrined in MA63, is non-negotiable.
“We applaud any efforts by the Sarawak government and the Electoral Commission (EC) to appropriately address the rural-urban voters imbalance in Sarawak and eliminate gerrymandering. But the rumour that Sarawak lawmakers will vote to increase the number of Sarawak seats in the federal parliament at this time and in this way is a hiding to nothing,” he said.
Peter John urged the Premier to seize the opportunity presented by the special sitting to formalise Sarawak’s autonomy and set a clear legislative path forward, allowing Sarawak to stand on its own two feet.
“We applaud Abang Johari’s initiatives — creating revenue streams, developing financial institutions, building independent education and healthcare ecosystems, and even launching our own airline. The Premier has demonstrated the potential, power and purpose of our Sarawak institutions. But it is time to realise the full restitution of our rights under MA63. The discussions have continued long enough,” he said.
He added that a declaration of autonomy by the Sarawak DUN would empower the State civil service to begin laying the administrative foundation for autonomy to be implemented meaningfully.
“There is still much work ahead — strengthening immigration control, abolishing the cabotage policy, Borneonising our institutions. But we cannot move forward while we are stuck in endless talks. This is why a special parliamentary sitting should not be focused on small outcomes,” he stressed.
Sarawak’s pursuit of autonomy has been long, steady, and patient. Now, Peter John said, the State is poised for a decisive leap forward.
“This is the moment for a final push. The Premier has paved the way by simply getting the job done. Now, Sarawak needs a robust legislative framework that the rest of our institutions can rally behind. Sarawak DUN can take the lead,” he added. — DayakDaily
