PBK Voon: Putrajaya must move beyond discussions and deliver comprehensive and time-bound settlement of constitutional and political issues

KUCHING, Sept 12 2026: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president called on the federal government to move beyond discussions and deliver a comprehensive and time-bound settlement of the constitutional and political issues arising from the formation of Malaysia.

Caption: PBK president Voon Lee Shan says that PBK's position is that there are serious historical and constitutional questions as to whether the Malaysia Agreement was validly implemented in accordance with all of its essential terms and safeguards

He said  Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's presence, together with the participation of Premier Abang Johari Openg and Chief Minister Hajiji Noor in Kota Kinabalu, demonstrates that the implementation of MA63 remains a matter of national importance.

“However, PBK's position goes further. It maintains that the validity, foundation and continuing constitutional consequences of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 must be examined honestly and without political fear,” Voon said in a statement when commenting on the Implementation of MA63 Action Council meeting in Kota Kinabalu yesterday.

“Our position is that there are serious historical and constitutional questions as to whether the Malaysia Agreement was validly implemented in accordance with all of its essential terms and safeguards,” Voon said.

He added PBK also maintains that, even assuming that MA63 was validly implemented, the constitutional circumstances and foundations upon which Malaysia was formed were materially altered by the separation of Singapore from Malaysia in 1965.

“These are legitimate constitutional and political questions which must not be treated as taboo,” he said, adding that MA63 itself records that North Borneo and Sarawak, together with Singapore, were to be federated with the existing states of the Federation of Malaya and that the resulting federation was thereafter to be called Malaysia.

“The original constitutional structure of 1963 also expressly distinguished the states of Malaya from the Borneo States of Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.

“PBK therefore rejects any historical narrative which treats Sarawak and Sabah merely as ordinary administrative units of Malaya.

“They were founding Borneo States and constituent parties in the formation of Malaysia, with special constitutional safeguards and arrangements arising from MA63 and the constitutional instruments associated with it.

“The constitutional settlement must therefore be restored and respected in substance, not merely in words,” Voon stressed.

He said PBK suggested that federal government must review and, where necessary, repeal, amend or restore every provision of the Federal Constitution which has diminished, altered or failed to give effect to the constitutional position, safeguards and rights originally secured for Sarawak and Sabah.

He said the objective must be to restore the constitutional balance contemplated at the formation of Malaysia, including the distinct position of the Borneo States within the Federation.

“This must not be reduced to changing terminology alone. Constitutional recognition must be accompanied by the restoration of the substance of the rights and safeguards,” he said.

Voon also said the governments of Sarawak and Sabah must jointly demand from the federal government the restoration of all constitutional, legislative, administrative and financial rights, powers and safeguards which were transferred, reduced, diluted, altered or otherwise taken away contrary to the constitutional settlement associated with MA63.

“This should include a comprehensive review of matters relating to legislative and executive powers, immigration, financial rights, natural resources, development, public administration and other safeguards specifically applicable to Sarawak and Sabah.

“The federal government must provide a clear list of outstanding matters, a timetable for implementation and a mechanism for independent verification,” he suggested.

Voon also said there must be a definite and short timetable for the federal government to complete the restoration of these rights.

“This cannot continue indefinitely from one negotiation to another, from one committee to another and from one prime minister to another.

“If the federal government is unwilling or unable to complete the constitutional settlement within the agreed timetable, then the governments and peoples of Sarawak and Sabah must consider, through lawful, democratic and constitutional means, what further constitutional options are available to them,” he said, pointing out that PBK does not advocate violence, disorder or unconstitutional action.

“But PBK will not accept the proposition that Sarawak and Sabah must remain permanently bound by an arrangement merely because successive governments have failed to honour its constitutional spirit and safeguards.

 

“PBK therefore calls for political courage, not endless negotiation,” Voon stressed, stating that if constitutional safeguards were agreed, they must be respected.

SUHAKAM welcomes Apex Court's decision that Orang Asli communities possess communal and proprietary rights over customary lands

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 2026: – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) has welcomed the Federal Court’s decision in favour of seven Orang Asli villagers from Kampung Batu 20, Pekan, Pahang, concerning the destruction of their ancestral graves during development activities. 

In a statement, it said the unanimous decision reinstated the High Court’s ruling in favour of the villagers, including the award of RM20,000 in general damages to each of the seven plaintiffs.

“Significantly, the Federal Court affirmed that Orang Asli communities possess communal and proprietary rights over customary lands on which they have traditionally lived, foraged, farmed and fished, notwithstanding the absence of formal land titles,” SUHAKAM said in a statement.

It said it particularly welcomes the Court’s recognition that Orang Asli customary rights extend beyond the physical occupation or economic use of land to encompass their cultural and spiritual relationship with their ancestors and traditional territories, including access to ancestral burial grounds.

It added that the Court’s finding that the desecration of ancestral graves strikes at the core of Orang Asli dignity affirms the deep connection between land, culture, spirituality and identity.

It said the judgment further reinforces that the issuance of land titles or development rights to third parties does not, by itself, extinguish pre-existing customary rights.

“This decision underscores the need to protect customary rights before development takes place, rather than leaving affected communities to seek redress only after harm has occurred,” SUHAKAM said.

It reiterates that government authorities, state agencies and businesses have a responsibility to identify and respect customary land rights before land is alienated or development projects are approved or commenced.

“This requires meaningful engagement with affected communities and respect for the principle of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), particularly where development may affect customary lands, burial grounds, sacred sites, livelihoods or cultural heritage.

“The decision is also consistent with the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which Malaysia supported.

“UNDRIP recognises Indigenous Peoples’ rights to maintain and strengthen their distinctive spiritual relationship with their traditionally owned or otherwise occupied lands and territories, and to practise and revitalise their cultural traditions and customs,” it noted.

It, therefore, calls on the federal and state governments to strengthen the legal and administrative recognition and protection of Orang Asli customary land rights.

“Clear safeguards are needed to ensure that customary territories, burial grounds and culturally significant sites are properly identified and protected before land is alienated, leased or approved for development.

“Businesses operating on or near customary territories must likewise undertake effective human rights due diligence to prevent adverse impacts on the rights, dignity, culture and heritage of Orang Asli communities and ensure access to effective remedies where harm occurs.

“This judgment is an important reminder that development cannot be pursued at the expense of human dignity, cultural identity and the rights of Indigenous Peoples,” SUHAKAM said, stressing that protecting Orang Asli customary lands is not merely a matter of land administration, but one of equality, dignity, cultural survival and justice.

Three locations in Sarawak registering very unhealthy air quality as at 9pm

KUCHING, Sept 11 2026: The air quality in Serian, Lubok Antu and Tebedu has worsened as indicated by the Air Pollutant Index (API).

Caption: Thick smoke from the forest fires in Kalimantan was blown into Sarawak 

As at 9pm, the API readings in Serian has gone up to 231 very unhealthy category, while that of Lubok Antu registered at 208 and Tebedu, 206.

The API reading in Lundu was recorded at 200 level and still categorised as unhealthy.

According to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), the API readings in Simanggang was recorded at 191, while that of Samarahan at 189, Kuching 184 and Kanowit 168.

Four locations - Kapit, ILP Miri, Limbang and Bario - have moderate air quality.

 

Chinese national-type school in Tatau also popular with Punan, Beketan pupils, says John Sikie

TATAU, Sept 11 2026: Minister in the Premier’s Department (Native Laws and Customs) John Sikie Tayai said the Chinese schools are  popular with not just just the Chinese, but also with other ethnic communities.

Caption: Minister John Sikie Tayai (third from right) unveiling the smartboard at SJK(C) Chung Hua Tatau

The other ethnic communities include the Malays, Ibans, Punans and Beketans in Tatau.

“The multi-racial educational environment provides opportunities for students to master Malay, English, Mandarin and their respective mother tongues,” he said when speaking at the unveiling of smartboard at the 100-year old SJK(C) Chung Hua Tatau today.

“This mastery of multiple languages is an advantage for the younger generation, especially in facing increasingly competitive job opportunities," Sikie, who is also Kakus State Legislative Member (SLM), stressed.

A total of 12 units of smartboards have been allocated to SJK(C) Chung Hua Tatau to strengthen the implementation of technology-based teaching and learning (PdP), in line with the Sarawak Government's efforts to empower digital education.

Sikie said that the provision of digital facilities is among the government's ongoing efforts to ensure that schools in Sarawak have educational infrastructure that can meet the needs of the current generation.

He added that the Sarawak government has also increased support for Chinese Aided Primary Schools by providing an allocation of RM12 million in 2026, compared to RM9 million the previous year.

SJK(C) Chung Hua Tatau headmaster Katherine Hii Suh Yiing said that the smartboard units will enable teachers to implement PdP more creatively, dynamically and interactively.

According to her, the facilities also provide a more interesting and meaningful learning experience for students.

Later Sikie donated RM10,000 to the school for the purpose of building a preschool toilet.

The donation will help the school to provide more comfortable, clean and suitable facilities for preschool students.

The year 2026 is also a special year for SJK(C) Chung Hua Tatau when the school celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Also present were the Consultative Committee Member of the United Association of Sarawak Chinese Aided Primary School Management Board Pau Chiong Ung, Tatau/Sebauh District Deputy Education Officer, Feizlina Talip, Chairman of the SJK(C) Chung Hua Tatau School Governing Board, Ting Meng Hock and the President of the SJK(C) Chung Hua Tatau PTA, Wong Tee Tee.