By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 6: Sabah and Sarawak activists have called on the Federal government to restore the States’ representation in the Dewan Rakyat to 34.5 per cent, in line with the foundational agreements in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Sabah Defender of Ancestral Lands (MOPOT) president Atama Katama said the original arrangement ensured that the Borneo States were allocated over 34 per cent of the seats in the Dewan Rakyat to protect their interests and uphold their voices within the federal system.
“However, unjust reduction of representation following Singapore’s exit in 1965 has left the people of Borneo voiceless in critical national decisions,” he said in a statement today.
In the same statement, Sarawak Association for People’s Aspirations (SAPA) publicity and information chief Peter John Jaban stated that currently, Sabah and Sarawak hold only 25.23 per cent of the parliamentary seats, far below the original agreement.
“This underrepresentation has severely weakened our capacity to influence policies that directly impact our communities, leaving us vulnerable to decisions made without our consent,” he said.
The duo also criticised the actions of Malayan non-governmental organisations (NGOs), which often take a paternalistic approach toward Sabah and Sarawak’s civil society.
These organisations, they said, frequently operate without Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), perpetuating a patriarchal model of governance that mirrors the ‘Ketuanan Melaya’ framework.
“This paternalism undermines the autonomy and agency of Borneo communities, further entrenching their marginalisation,” they said.
Following this, the activists demanded an end to the exploitative practices that have characterised Sabah and Sarawak’s relationship with the Federal government.
“The resources of Sabah and Sarawak belong to our people, and it is imperative that the benefits derived from these resources are redirected back to our communities,” they added. — DayakDaily
