PRS Youth dismisses call by Perak DAP state assemblyman for Nanta to resign from the federal cabinet

KUCHING, Feb 1 2026: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS)  Youth has dismissed a call by a Perak state legislative member (SLM) for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) secretary general Alexander Nanta Linggi to resign from the federal cabinet over remarks he uttered in an interview with a private radio station last week.

Christopher Gira: PRS Youth stands firmly in support of the views and concerns that Nanta expressed on MA63, affirming MA63 is not a threat to unity; ignoring it is what weakens Malaysia. 

Youth chief Christopher Gira said the comments that Nanta expressed must be viewed within the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) upon which Malaysia was founded on the principles of partnership, mutual respect, and federal–state autonomy, not political uniformity or coercion.

“His remarks reflected concern over national unity, not a rejection of Malaysia nor any cabinet policy,” Gira said in a statement.

“As Sarawakian youth, we reject narrow interpretations that seek to portray MA63 as a subject that cannot be discussed openly or honestly.

“It has been incorporated into the Federal Constitution; therefore, discussing it publicly is not a breach of discipline, but an effort to strengthen constitutional understanding and relations among the founding regions of Malaysia,” he said.

He added if Malaysia truly aspires to progress as a fair and mature federation, Sarawak’s voice on MA63 must not be silenced under the guise of convention, especially when the issues raised concern the rights, status, and future of the founding states of Malaysia.

He said PRS Youth stands firmly in support of the views and concerns that Nanta expressed on MA63, adding that affirming MA63 is not a threat to unity; ignoring it is what weakens Malaysia.

He stressed that true unity exists only when the founding agreement is respected and fully implemented.

Gira said PRS Youth affirms that MA63 is the foundation of Malaysia’s formation, not a peripheral issue or political rhetoric.

He said open discussion on MA63 — including by cabinet ministers and Members of Parliament — is part of the responsibility to ensure that this agreement is understood, respected, and fulfilled.

In a statement published in the news portal Scoop, Aziz Bari, a exco member in the Perak government, has called for Nanta’s resignation as the Works Minister after making “public statements that breach the principle of collective cabinet responsibility”.

Aziz said a cabinet minister cannot openly express views that contradict cabinet solidarity, stressing that ministers are bound by Article 43(3) of the Federal Constitution and long-established conventions under the Westminster system.

Aziz, who is also DAP’s Tebing Tinggi state assemblyman and Perak DAP vice chairman, said that if Nanta wished to make his views public, the proper course was to first step down from the cabinet, describing this as a constitutional requirement rather than a discretionary choice

On Thursday, when speaking in a radio interview with BFM 89.9, Nanta had used the word “divorce” when voicing frustration over “bickering” on political issues, noting the harmonious way Sarawak dealt with race, religion and politics, while politicians in the peninsular were prone to “quarrelling”.

“I want Malaysia to go on as a Malaysia that is progressive and people live in harmony. Is that too much to ask for? But I’m worried. I’m worried if we continue to quarrel over everything then don’t blame us, don’t blame Sarawakians. If you don’t like us, divorce us.”

 

Nanta did not breach Federal Constitution, Voon tells Perak DAP leader

KUCHING, Feb 1 2026: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan has come to the defence of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) secretary general Alexander Nanta Linggi against criticism by a Perak DAP leader over remarks uttered during a recent interview with a private radio station.

Voon Lee Shan: What Nanta articulated reflects the life experience of many Sarawakians who feel short-changed in development, autonomy, and respect 

He said that Nanta did not breach the Federal Constitution, nor did he disclose cabinet deliberations, classified information, or confidential cabinet papers.

“His remarks were an expression of political frustration and public sentiment, particularly those long felt by the people of Sarawak after more than six decades within the Federation of Malaysia,” he said when responding to a statement by Aziz Bari, a constitutional lawyer and an exco member in the Perak state government.

Voon, who is also a senior practising lawyer, said Nanta spoke as a Sarawakian leader who understands the ground realities, emotions, and grievances of his people.

“What he articulated reflects the life experience of many Sarawakians who feel short-changed in development, autonomy, and respect, despite Sarawak being a founding partner of Malaysia under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” he said.

He emphasised that voicing dissatisfaction or urging reflection on unresolved federal-state issues does not amount to sedition, nor does it automatically violate collective cabinet responsibility.

He stressed that ministers are not stripped of their conscience, identity, or responsibility to their constituents simply by virtue of holding office.

He added democratic governance allows for honest discourse, especially when such discourse aims to strengthen the federation through reform and fairness.

Voon warned that to suggest resignation merely because a minister acknowledges deep-rooted grievances risks silencing legitimate concerns and further alienating Sarawakians.

“Such an approach does not promote unity, instead it suppresses dialogue,” he added.

He also reminded all parties that Sarawak’s position in Malaysia is founded on partnership, not subordination, adding that persistent political pressure, dismissive attitudes, and failure to address long-standing issues will only deepen public frustration.

“On the ground, PBK observes rising anger and disillusionment among Sarawakians. This sentiment should not be ignored or trivialised,” Voon warned.

He said Nanta’s remarks should be understood as a wake-up call, not an act of defiance, adding if Malaysia is to remain strong and united, it must be built on mutual respect, constitutional fairness, and sincere commitment to resolving grievances — not on threats, moral lectures, or political intimidation.

In a statement published in the news portal Scoop, Aziz Bari has called for Nanta’s resignation as the Works Minister after making “public statements that breach the principle of collective cabinet responsibility”.

Aziz said a cabinet minister cannot openly express views that contradict cabinet solidarity, stressing that ministers are bound by Article 43(3) of the Federal Constitution and long-established conventions under the Westminster system.

Aziz, who is also DAP’s Tebing Tinggi state assemblyman and Perak DAP vice chairman, said that if Nanta wished to make his views public, the proper course was to first step down from the cabinet, describing this as a constitutional requirement rather than a discretionary choice

On Thursday, when speaking in a radio interview with BFM 89.9, Nanta had used the word “divorce” when voicing frustration over “bickering” on political issues, noting the harmonious way Sarawak dealt with race, religion and politics, while politicians in the peninsular were prone to “quarrelling”.

“I want Malaysia to go on as a Malaysia that is progressive and people live in harmony. Is that too much to ask for? But I’m worried. I’m worried if we continue to quarrel over everything then don’t blame us, don’t blame Sarawakians. If you don’t like us, divorce us.”

King Sing fuming mad at SUPP over another round of handing over appontment letters to community leaders, headmen in Sibu

KUCHING, Feb 1 2026: Progress Democratic Party (PDP) president Tiong King Sing is fuming mad at SUPP over another round of handing over appointment letters to community leaders and headmen in Sibu, this time scheduled for Feb 2.

Tiong King Sing: It is baffling. We checked with the district office and the resident’s office, and were told that they were merely acting on instructions from the State Secretary.  

“This is no longer a coincidence but an obvious and deliberate provocation. Let me ask plainly - after we have already made our stance clear on the local leaders’ appointment, SUPP has pushed ahead with their own agenda anyway.

“How does this not amount to an open invitation to conflict? I once again urge SUPP to state its position clearly - have you decided to sideline your so-called ally, or even force us out?

“If that is the case, then say it openly. If we are not welcome here, there are other places but we will not accept having our red-lines tested and trampled on repeatedly,” Dudong state legislative member (SLM) warned in his Facebook post.

“It is baffling. We checked with the district office and the resident’s office, and were told that they were merely acting on instructions from the State Secretary.

“I must say this plainly: whether it is the State Secretary or Dr Sim Kui Hian (SUPP president) himself, they should know where the political line is and when to stop,” he fumed.

According to Tiong, it has been agreed to hand over the appointment letters on Feb 8.

He warned SUPP not to play with fire, saying that politics is not a game and if it insists on pushing ahead, “I will not back down.”

Yesterday, Tiong criticised SUPP for sidelining PDP in the appointments of community leaders and headmen in Dudong and Bawang Assan constituencies.