KUCHING, May 14 2026: A state rights activist has urged all leaders, civil society groups, and policymakers to continue engaging seriously on the restoration of Sarawak’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), including decentralisation, fiscal autonomy, resource management, education, healthcare, and fair parliamentary representation.
Peter John Jaban, who is also the founder of Saya Anak Sarawak (SAS), said Sarawak’s future must be shaped by policies that are closer to the realities of its people and respectful of the promises made during the formation of Malaysia.
He supported a statement by Stakan legislative member (SLM) Hamzah Ibrahim on decentralisation of powers to Sarawak, particularly in sectors such as education, healthcare, and other matters that many Sarawakian voices have consistently raised over the years.
He said for far too long, policies affecting Sarawak have remained heavily centralised despite the unique realities faced by the people of the state, especially those living in rural and interior areas.
“The centralised system has often failed to address infrastructure gaps, shortages of teachers and medical personnel, unequal development, and the specific educational and healthcare needs of Sarawakians,” he said in a statement.
Peter has long advocated for the decentralisation of Sarawak’s healthcare system to ensure that rural communities receive better and more efficient healthcare services.
He said he has consistently emphasised that local management would allow more specialised, practical, and fine-tuned solutions compared to a heavily centralised federal approach.
On education, he has argued that meaningful reform cannot be effectively implemented through a one-size-fits-all centralised system.
He said he has repeatedly urged the federal government to return greater control over education policies to Sabah and Sarawak, in line with the spirit and provisions of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Peter said he has also consistently highlighted the need for the full restoration of Sarawak’s rights, including greater control over oil and gas resources, fiscal autonomy, and development planning.
He opposed excessive federal centralisation and believes that local authorities in Sarawak should be given greater authority to manage educational, healthcare, and infrastructure according to local realities and priorities.
“Sarawak deserves greater authority to manage its own education system so that policies can better reflect local history, culture, language diversity, and economic priorities.
“Likewise, healthcare administration should be decentralised to allow more efficient planning, better rural outreach, and faster responses to the needs of remote communities.
“We also hope that more funds will be allocated to establish technical and skills-training colleges across various parts of Sarawak instead of having such institutions concentrated mainly along the Kuching–Lundu stretch,” he added.
“More technical colleges should be developed throughout the state, from Kuching to Lawas, so that more school leavers can gain access to skills training and improve their employability opportunities.
“At present, many of these institutions are concentrated within the Kuching–Lundu corridor. Greater attention should therefore be given to expanding technical and vocational education facilities to other regions, including the Limbang Division,” Peter said.
He added Sarawak needs a stronger and more comprehensive education and skills-training system rather than continuously depending on yearly allocations without long-term structural planning.
“Modern education also requires the government to allocate sufficient funding for in service teacher training and professional development.
“If the government truly wishes to improve the educational outcomes and future prospects of the nation’s youth, serious attention must be given to the retraining and upskilling of teachers.
“The demand for one-third parliamentary representation is not an act of division but a constitutional and historical matter tied to the original formation of Malaysia.
“Sarawak and Sabah were founding partners in the Federation, not merely ordinary states within Malaya’s administrative structure.
“Fair representation is essential to ensure that the voices of the Borneo states are protected in national decision-making processes,” Peter said.
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