Letter to Editor: Sarawak rights movement gives full backing to Sabahans' demand for 40 per cent revenue entitlement

By Peter John Jaban

We, Saya Anak Sarawak (SAS), stand in full solidarity with the people of Sabah in their rightful demand for the 40% revenue entitlement owed to them under Article 112C of the Constitution, read together with Part IV of the Tenth Schedule.

This is not a new demand, nor is it a political creation. It is a constitutional guarantee one that has been ignored, diluted, and delayed for far too long.

The 40% entitlement represents Sabah’s rightful share of the net revenue collected by the Federal Government from the state.

Yet, despite Sabah’s vast natural wealth, its people continue to face underdevelopment and economic hardship. This is a matter of justice.

As Sarawakians who have long advocated for the rights of Borneo states, we must stress that what affects Sabah today will inevitably affect Sarawak tomorrow.

The erosion of constitutional safeguards, if left unchallenged, weakens the very foundation. upon which Malaysia was formed.

We suggest that all elected representatives in Sabah both at the state and federal levels to rise above political differences and act decisively.

If their Wakil Rakyat are sincere in defending Sabah’s rights, they must mobilise the people and stand together in a peaceful assembly (perhimpunan aman) to demand what is rightfully theirs.

Sabahans must stand united and put aside political differences, just as Sarawak has consistently done over the years when defending its rights.

This is not about political parties or personal interests; it is about unity, strength, and a shared future.

Sabah has 73 State Constituencies and 25 Parliamentary Constituencies. If each elected Wakil Rakyat brings just 200 people, nearly 20,000 Sabahans will gather in unity.

Such a peaceful show of strength will send a powerful and unmistakable message to Putrajaya Sabah’s rights are not negotiable.

Stay strong like Sarawak firm, united, and unwavering. If Sabah stands weak, the Borneo states will be easily sidelined and their rights diminished, but when Sabah stands strong, it strengthens the voice and position of all in Borneo States.

This is not about confrontation.

This is about accountability.

This is about restoring dignity to the people of Sabah.

This is about your future.

The people have waited long enough.

Now is the time to stand.

 

Editor’s note:

Peter John Jaban is a Sarawak rights activist and Founder Saya Anak Sarawak rights movement.

 

 

Putrajaya hands over 80 rural water supply projects, costing RM3.47 billion, to Sarawak government

KUCHING, April 14 2026: The federal government today handed over the implementation of 80 rural water supply projects worth RM3.47 billion to the Sarawak government to accelerate access to clean water supply, especially in rural areas.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (picture) said the handover to the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) is to accelerate the implementation of projects that were previously implemented under the 11th and 12th Malaysia Plans.

"Of the total 80 projects, 50 projects are currently under implementation, nine have been completed, 20 are at the post-implementation stage while one project has been cancelled," he said in a press conference after chairing the rural water supply project coordination committee meeting today.

He stressed that both governments agreed to prioritise solutions over blaming any party, including reviewing existing regulations that could potentially delay the implementation of the project.

He said that the handover process also involved close consultation with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy and related agencies to ensure smooth implementation without compromising legal aspects.

At the same time, he welcomed the approach proposed by the Sarawak Ministry of Utilities and Telecommunications which emphasized efficiency of implementation without neglecting regulatory compliance.

“Sarawak has its own plan to achieve full water supply coverage by 2030, and so far the implementation by the state government has reached about 93 percent, a very encouraging achievement,” he explained.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the federal Minister of Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the federal Cabinet has agreed to hand over the rural water project to the Sarawak government in the Cabinet Meeting on March 17, 2026.

A total of RM141.87 million was also allocated under the First Rolling Plan (RP1), 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) for the year 2026 to support the smooth implementation of the project.

This step to empower the state government is expected to accelerate access to clean water supply across the board, thus improving the quality of life of rural communities in Sarawak.

Also present were Sarawak Utilities and Telecommunications Minister Julaihi Narawi and Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Rubiah Wang as well as Heads of Departments.

DPM Ahmad Zaid to chair coordination committee meeting tomorrow on projects in Sarawak under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry

KUCHING, April 13 2026: Deputy Prime Minister  Ahmad Zahid Hamidi arrived here this evening to begin a two-day working visit to Sarawak.

Caption: Deouty Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid waving at reporters as he leaves the RMAF base soon after arriving in Kuching 

His arrival was welcomed by Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development  Martin Ben

Tomorrow morning, Ahmad Zahid is scheduled to chair the coordination committee meeting on projects in Sarawak under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry as well as to handover rural water supply projects to the Sarawak government at the Federal Secretary’s office at Sultan Iskandar Building.

Later in the afternoon, he will pay a courtesy call on Premier Abang Johari Openg before departing for Kuala Lumpur.

Also accompanying him was Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development and Kota Samarahan Member of Parliament Rubiah Wang.

 

Policemen to temporarily monitor filling stations in Sarawak, says DPM Fadillah

KUCHING, April 13 2026: Police personnel will temporarily monitor filling stations in Sarawak, including 22 in Limbang, Lundu and Lubok Antu, to allow the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry enforcers to focus on locations at risk of leakage of controlled goods, particularly fuel. 

Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof (picture) said  the ministry will also focus on 16 Sarawak Fishermen’s  Association locations that house diesel depots for the use of fishermen, 25 unbranded petrol stations, 153 privately-permitted skid tanks and also illegal jetties that carry out bunkering activities in the rivers of Sarawak.

“The enforcers will also focus on the stability of prices and supply of other controlled goods,” Fadillah said in a statement today.

He said the launch of  Ops Tiris 4.0 (Integrated) phase on March 16, involving several agencies, has yielded positive results in less than a month, adding that as of April 12,  13,759 total inspections were recorded nation-wide.

Of these, 99 cases involving diesel with a seizure value of more than RM 3.1 million;. 61 cases involving RON95 petrol with a seizure value of RM 95,387.65;. 30 cases involving LPG with a seizure amounting to RM45,103.34; and. 49 cases involving cooking oil, sugar and wheat flour.

“As of yesterday,  the total value of seizures nation-wide has reached RM 11 million.

“For Sarawak, a total of 48 cases have been recorded with a seizure value of RM 6.7 million.

“This success is the result of the hard work of our strategic partners from Police Department, General Operations Force , Marine Police Force, Immigration Department, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, and Border Control and Protection Agency,” Fadillah said.

He urged the people to the eyes and ears of the government, saying that close cooperation between the federal government and  Sarawak is the key to ensuring that the economic sovereignty is preserved for the well-being of future generations.

Once the road project is completed, travelling time between Miri and Mulu will be shortened from nine to two hours, says Uggah

MARUDI, April 13 2026: Once completed, the 142-kilometre long Miri-Marudi, Marudi- Mulu and Long Lama-Long Panai (MMMLL)  road project will shorten traveling time between Miri and Mulu to just two hours, from the present nine hours, Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas (picture) said at the ground-breaking ceremony today.

He said the road project, worth RM3.8 billion, is expected to be completed within 48 months and will have a major impact on development in the Baram area.

“The MMMLL road project as a whole will provide a comprehensive road network, with a main line of 142 kilometres, a 30.5 kilometre bypass linking villages, and the construction of 11 major bridges and 11 minor bridges,” Uggah, who is also the Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, said.

“Overall, the MMMLL road project will benefit approximately 404,679 people in the Miri Division, improving access to education and healthcare, distributing agricultural produce, and opening up new economic opportunities including tourism and commercial activities.

“ In addition to improving mobility and the economy, this project also supports the government's development aspiration,” he said.

He added the construction of this road network will be linked to the Sarawak–Sabah Link Road (SSLR) Phase 2 which is also being actively implemented.