KUCHING, Nov 8 2026: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan defended his call for the state government to ban the entry of Malayan politicians and ministers from coming and campaigning for their political parties in next month's state election, saying that it is about defending Sarawak's political independence and is not an act of hatred against Malayan politicians.
Caption: PBK president Voon Lee Shan says that RM16.2 billion may sound impressive, but it does not automatically mean Sarawak has received a fair share of its own wealth
"It is about defending Sarawak's rights, dignity and future," he said when reacting to Sarawak PKR Kuching division chairman Dominique Ng Kim Ho who had told Voon not to fear Malayan politicians from entering Sarawak for the coming state election.
He said PBK's position is clear that Sarawak's political affairs should be determined by Sarawakians, saying: "We do not need Malayan-based political parties to come here and establish political control over our state.
"This is a question of political independence and the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), not racial or religious hostility," Voon said.
On the allocation of RM16.2 billion under the 2027 federal budget, Voon said Ng, should, instead, ask how much of wealth Sarawak has contributed to the federal government over the decades.
"How much oil and gas wealth has been extracted from Sarawak? How much revenue has been collected? How much has actually been returned to Sarawak?
"RM16.2 billion may sound impressive, but it does not automatically mean Sarawak has received a fair share of its own wealth," he said.
He said the federal allocations should not be portrayed as gifts or acts of generosity, pointing out that Sarawak has contributed enormously to the national economy through its natural resources.
"We have every right to demand fairness and accountability in return," he said.
Voon pointed out that PBK is not against cooperation with Malaya, saying: "We are against the erosion of Sarawak's political autonomy and the failure to recognise our rights under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
"Let me make this clear that Sarawak is not asking for charity. Sarawak is demanding justice, fairness and recognition of its rights," he said.
Voon said Ng may disagree with PBK, but he should not label PBK's defence of Sarawak's independence as hatred or intolerance.
"The real question is this: Why should Sarawakians be expected to remain silent when their natural wealth is extracted, their constitutional rights are disputed and their political autonomy is challenged?" he asked.
"We must stop confusing federal allocations with justice," he said.
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