SAS activists question legitimacy of Malaysia-US trade pact over Sarawak and Sabah

KUCHING, Oct 6 2025: Rights movement Saya Anak Sarawak (SAS) activists have questioned the legitimacy of the Malaysia-US Reciprocal Trade Agreement (RTA) over Sarawak and Sabah since  it was signed without consulting the two state governments.

SAS leader Peter John Jaban

RTA was signed recently by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the United States (US) President Donald Trump at the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur, last month.

They accused the federal government of entering an international pact without the requisite consultation or consent of the Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak, saying that such an act is seen as constituting a betrayal of federalism and a direct violation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“This is not our deal. It was not signed with our consent," SAS leader Peter John Jaban said in a joint statement today.

He contended that the federal government's decision-making process is fundamentally flawed and neglects the status of Borneo states as equal partners in the federation.

Another activist Datuk Fabian Wong questioned the legitimacy of the pact, questioning why the deal was signed without the consent of the two Borneo regions. 

“Once again, the federal government has entered an international agreement without consultation or representation from Sabah and Sarawak.

“The federal government, particularly the prime minister, must not make major decisions that affect

our territory without prior consulting the Sarawak government, State Legislative Assembly (SLA) and informing the public,” Wong, a veteran military officer, said.

Datuk Fabian Wong

He insisted that the unilateral decisions made by Putrajaya cannot bind Sabah and Sarawak, and that using Sarawak’s resources as "tribute or collateral" for federal deals is unacceptable.

Wong said the gravest concern raised is the deal’s impact on Borneo’s control over its vital oil and gas resources. 

He highlighted the commitment made by Malaysia, as noted in the White House documentation on the trade agreement, which includes a significant commercial deal involving the purchase of up to five millions tons per annum of liquified natual gas at up to USD3.4 billion through multi-layer agreements with Petronas.

Willam Mangor

He said the deal compels Petronas to purchase the US natural gas, tying the national oil company

to long-term dependence on American suppliers.

“This move strips Sabah and Sarawak of our bargaining power in the negotiation with Petronas over our own oil and gas resources,” he claimed.

He also claimed that the trade pact prohibits Malaysia from protecting or prioritising local industries if it disadvantages the US corporations, thus forcing local farmers, fishermen, and small entrepreneurs in Borneo to compete against the heavily subsidised American agribusiness. 

Another SAS activist William Mangor called for a concrete plan to persuade the Sarawak government and relevant state institutions to act decisively to protect the state’s rights and resources.

He said the sooner this plan is developed and executed, the better.

 

PBDS calls for unity, coordinated action between political leaders and academics for the future of the Dayak people

KUCHING, Nov 5 2025: Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) has called for unity and coordinated action between political leaders and academics for the future of the Dayak people.

Dr Bernard Tahim: For PBDS, the struggle is not about who is right, but about what is right for the future of the Dayak people.
 

Its deputy president Dr Bernard Tahim said the need to align the directions of politics, academia and community must be prioritised in advancing Dayak progress.

“PBDS asserts that meaningful development cannot be achieved if each group works in isolation,” he said in a statement today.

He stressed politics without knowledge becomes blind while knowledge without action becomes paralysed, adding that a community without good leadership loses its sense of direction.

“Therefore, PBDS calls for the creation of a Dayak Coordination Platform whose purpose is to unite political leaders, academics, youth, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in drafting a long-term development agenda, whether through the proposed Dayak Community Special Unit (UKMD) or an alternative, a more integrated plan,” Dr Bernard suggested.

“From discourse to implementation, the Dayak people must no longer be a race that merely talks about NCR land, poverty, education, and economic opportunity without tangible outcomes.

“PBDS emphasises that every discourse must be followed by action, and every institution established must have a strategic plan with transparent annual performance indicators,” he said.

He said the Dayak nation must break free from what he called the cycle of “talk without results.”

He said the Dayak must rise together, adding that differences in opinion should not lead to division — rather, they should mark the beginning of a collective awakening, where political courage is supported by academic wisdom and fueled by grassroots spirit.

PBDS urges all parties to see the differences in opinion not as a personal dispute but as a call for unity and genuine reform of the Dayak nation.

“For PBDS, the struggle is not about who is right, but about what is right for the future of the Dayak people,” he added.

He said the party takes note of a recent public debate surrounding the proposal by Selanagu  Member of Parliament Edwin Banta for the establishment of UKMD under the Prime Minister’s Department. He noted that proposal aims to strengthen the socio-economic position of the Dayak community through a structured approach, modeled after the Indian Community Transformation Unit (MITRA).

He also said that the party views the differing opinions expressed by academics such as Datuk Professor Dr Jayum Jawan and Datuk Professor Dr Madeline Berma over the proposed UKMD as a healthy and mature debate as a sign of growing awareness in the discourse on Dayak development.

“However, PBDS stresses that the time for debate has long passed. Now is the time for action,” he said.

Dr Bernard said the party fully supports Edwin’s political courage, saying that it appreciates the MP’s initiative and boldness in presenting a concrete proposal to strengthen Dayak development at the national level.

He said the establishment of UKMD proves that there are Dayak representatives with vision and bravery to pursue institutional empowerment as a crucial step to ensure Dayak development is no longer a mere footnote in the government’s broader policies.

“While PBDS values the academic perspectives shared by Jayum and Madeline, it cautions that academic analysis should not be used as a reason to avoid implementation.

“Academic knowledge should serve as a guiding force to strengthen proposed policies — not to extinguish the enthusiasm of those seeking new solutions.

“PBDS urges Dayak academics to step beyond theoretical discussions and join in designing practical implementation plans that can bring real impact to the Dayak community,” Dr Bernard stressed.

In recent comments published in the Borneo Post, Jayum rejected Edwin’s proposal as “misplaced” and “a half-baked idea discussed over a bowl of kampua noodles.”

He had claimed that the Dayaks’ lack of progress was largely due to the mediocrity of their own lawmakers in introducing workable solutions that could really  and resolve key issues.

Madeline, meanwhile, had said that setting up a new institution meant creating another bureaucratic layer that would not address the root causes of Dayak underdevelopment such as high poverty rates, low academic achievement, unemployment, and low income levels.

She had suggested that the focus should instead be on strengthening governance and ensuring existing ministries and programmes deliver effectively.

PBDS supports initiative to construction of Rumah Mesra Rakyat on native customary rights land

KUCHING, Nov 3 2025: Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) has expressed full support to the initiative by the federal Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) to work with the Sarawak government to allow the construction of Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR) (People-Friendly Homes Programme) on Native Customary Rights (NCR) land.

Sanjan Daik: This effort is not merely about building houses but it’s about building futures for Dayak families on their ancestral land.
 

Its secretary-general Sanjan Daik said the initiative is timely and relevant, as it recognises the realities faced by rural communities particularly the Dayaks who have long resided on ancestral and customary lands.

 “PBDS welcomes this move as it respects the ownership and traditional use of native land by the Dayak community,” he said in a statement when commenting on a reply by the minister Nga Kor Ming in Parliament recently.

Sanjan explained that many families in rural areas do not have access to state land, but they possess NCR land inherited from their forefathers.

“Building affordable homes on these lands is both fair and practical,” he stressed.

He emphasised that clear coordination between federal and state agencies is crucial to ensure smooth implementation, particularly concerning land status verification, building plan approvals, and financing procedures.

He also urged the government to expedite the survey and recognition process of NCR land so that more rural residents can qualify for the PMR programme.

“This effort is not merely about building houses but it’s about building futures for Dayak families on their ancestral land,” he said.

He also reiterated that Sarawak’s development policies must strike a balance between physical progress and the protection of native rights, adding that PBDS stands ready to work with both the state and federal governments to design inclusive policies that are sensitive to the realities of indigenous communities.

Replying to a point raised by Puncak Borneo Member of Parliament Datuk Willie Mongin on Oct 30, Nga said his ministry was ready to discuss with the Sarawak state government to find a solution to the issue of ownership of customary land without a grant which affects the eligibility of applications under the PMR Programme.

He said he welcomed a proposal and assured that he would look into the specific cases raised by the MP.

He said he would instruct Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) to discuss with the Sabah and Sarawak governments so that this customary land matter can be managed properly and comply with existing conditions.

Nga also stressed that KPKT is committed to ensuring that all Malaysians have a place to shelter.

Willie proposed that the government provide flexibility to rural applicants in Sarawak who own customary land but do not have an official grant.

He stressed that many young people and new families are unable to own their own homes due to the constraints of the land grant conditions.

 

Sarawak on track to achieve its target of RM12.7 billion in tourism revenue this year

KUCHING, Oct 31 2025: Sarawak is on track to achieve its target of RM12.7 billion in tourism revenue this year, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg tonight.

Photo: The Sultan of Pahang (left) was received on arrival at the Kuching International Airport by Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar Friday afternoon.
 

Abang Johari said Sarawak has already recorded tourism revenue of RM8.2 billion as of August.

“This achievement shows that Sarawak is on the right track to achieve  its target,” he said at a state dinner held in honour of the visiting Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and his consort Tengku Ampuan of Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.

The premier suggested that Sarawak and Pahang hold a joint tourism promotion as both have great potential to develop integrated tourism packages based on eco-tourism and local culture.

He said through the joint promotion, cultural exchange and strengthening of air and land networks, Sarawak and Pahang will be able to introduce to the world the true beauty of Malaysia, which is rich in diversity.

“When we start operating our AirBorneo services, Kuantan and Kuching will be connected,” he said.

Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian and Speaker Tan Sri Asfia Awang Nasar were among  those present at the dinner.

The Sultan of Pahang and Tengku Ampuan of Pahang are on a four-day official visit to Sarawak.