Sarawak govenment should not in its budget cater for payments to any federal government servants working in Sarawak. This is an unwise financial management of state finance.

For decades, Sarawak has been stripped of its wealth through federal mechanisms designed and controlled from Malaya. Revenues collected in Sarawak by federal departments are channelled directly to the federal treasury, and under the present federal constitutional framework not a single sen is automatically returned to Sarawak. Even the salaries of federal officers serving here — whether Sarawakians or Malayans — are obligations of the federal government, not the Sarawak government.

Our situation stands in stark contrast to that of Sabah. Under the Federal Constitution, Sabah is entitled to the return of 40% of the revenues collected by federal departments. Sarawak has no such constitutional protection. This unequal treatment must be acknowledged and corrected.

Let us be clear: the so-called “Federal Government of Malaysia” has functioned essentially as the Federal Government of Malaya, expanded in 1963 through the acquisition of North Borneo (Sabah), Sarawak and Singapore. On 16 September 1963, Malaya informed the United Nations that it had changed its name to “Malaysia” after enlarging its territory. Yet the structure and mindset of the federation have continued to mirror Malayan dominance, not equal partnership.

Security and education were placed under federal jurisdiction, removing Sarawak’s control over our own future in these crucial sectors. And every year, tens of billions of ringgit in oil wealth have flowed out of Sarawak since the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA 74) was imposed on us. Sarawak was promised only 5% cash payment, yet the people of Sarawak deserve to know:
Where is this 5% today? Show us the proof.

In addition, millions of ringgit in revenue are collected annually by federal agencies operating in Sarawak. There is no transparency and no publicly accessible record of how much federal departments have extracted from our land over the years.

In the Sarawak Dewan Undangan Negeri, I have repeatedly pressed for clarity on these revenues. The Finance Minister could not provide an answer — despite claiming he was eager to disclose the truth. This raises a critical question: what is being hidden from the people of Sarawak?

On the matter of pensions, it must be reaffirmed that federal servants were never employees of the Sarawak Government. Their pensions and benefits are entirely the responsibility of the federal government, and Sarawak must not be forced to pay for obligations that do not belong to us. No company in the world pays salaries for employees of another company — this is a basic principle of employment.

Sarawak must also reflect on how our heroes — the Sarawak and Rangers — have been treated by the same federal structure. Many fought and died in defence of Malaya during the communist insurgency, yet for decades their sacrifices were neglected. It was only through the persistence of Parti Bumi Kenyalang and concerned activists that some of their remains were finally brought home in recent years. One Sarawak Ranger was even abandoned by the roadside in Malaya — a disgraceful and unforgivable insult to our fallen hero. To this day, many Sarawak Rangers have not been granted citizenship, despite having risked their lives for Malaya.

This is the federal government that Sarawak has been forced to rely upon.

This is the reality that Sarawakians have quietly endured for too long.

SARAWAK MUST RISE AND ASSERT ITS RIGHTS

Parti Bumi Kenyalang calls upon all Sarawakians — regardless of race, religion or background — to unite in demanding transparency, fairness and justice. We must no longer accept a system that drains Sarawak’s resources while giving us little in return. We demand:

1. Full disclosure of all revenues collected by federal departments in Sarawak.

2. Proof of all oil-related cash payments, including the 5% promised under PDA 74.

3. Restitution and renegotiation of Sarawak’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.( Parti Bumi Kenyalang maintains MA63 is an invalid or a null and void ab initio Treaty).

4. Proper recognition, honour and rights for Sarawak’s veterans, including citizenship for deserving Sarawak Rangers.

5. A reassessment of federal obligations so that Sarawak is not forced to carry burdens that belong to Putrajaya.

Sarawak has been more than patient. Now we must be firm.

SARAWAK DESERVES JUSTICE. SARAWAK DESERVES RESPECT. SARAWAK DESERVES ITS RIGHTS.

VOON LEE SHAN
President
Parti Bumi Kenyalang