KUCHING, March 3 2026: Former Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim’s oblique views on Sarawak and Sabah, especially with regards to Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), have received overwhelmingly negative responses from netizens from the two Borneo regions.
They said Zaid has twisted the purposes of MA63, claiming that it is used by Sarawak and Sabah to control and outwit Malaya.
“I used to look up to him. Then I realised that he is a venomous chameleon,” fumed one netizen.
Another said the narrative that Sabah and Sarawak are outwitting and controlling Malaya is not only misleading, it is historically and constitutionally flawed.
“The formation of Malaysia in 1963 was not manipulation. It was a negotiated federation between Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“Sabah and Sarawak were not simply handed over as passive colonies,” netizen explained, saying the Cobbold Commission gathered views from the people of Sarawak.
He then said safeguards were drafted, terms were agreed and there was a constitutional nation building, not political trickery.
He also noted that the immigration autonomy in Sabah and Sarawak is also not discrimination, pointing out that it is a constitutional safeguard that was agreed upon at the formation of Malaysia and is recognised under the Federal Constitution.
On petroleum and maritime issues, he said discussions surrounding the Petroleum Development Act 1974 and the role of Petroliam Nasional Berhad are legal and constitutional matters.
“In any federation, questions about jurisdiction and revenue sharing are normal. Addressing outstanding matters from MA63 strengthens the federation because it shows that agreements are respected,” the netizen said.
“As for the Borneo Bloc, political alliances are a normal feature of parliamentary democracy. When parties in the peninsula consolidate power, it is called strategy. When Borneo parties seek collective bargaining strength, it is suddenly framed as control.
“That double standard says more about political insecurity than constitutional imbalance,” he opined.
Another netizen said “how silly this former law minister is...and knowing very little of the Borneo bloc...I don't know about Sabah but in my opinion, Sarawak is not interested in controlling Malaysia or power to rule Malaysia,” he said.
But, he said, over the years “we have been treated poorly and unfairly.”
He said the attitude of the former law minister shows a real West Malaysian attitude wanting to exercise authority and “as if we (Sarawakians” are second class citizens.
Another netizen dismissed Zaid simply as an armchair critics while another netizen asked Zaid to get his fact right, saying that Sarawak and Sabah did not join Malaysia, but negotiated through the MA63 as founding partners and “you guys never honored the agreement that was made”.
Another netizen said many Malayan politicians have poor knowledge on the history on the formation of Malaysia.
“That's why until today they don't know how to interpret the MA63,”he said.
A netizen, by the name of Joe Wong, said it is up to Sarawak and Sabah to voice out their 63-year grievances and frustrations regarding unfairness and inequalities done by the Malayan leaders.
“Don't blame others, blame yourself and the other Malayan leaders who created a lot of problems.
“Who did all these? You incompetent Malayan leaders.
“These are the true facts. So you better keep quiet... lah, Zaid,” Joe Wong concluded.
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