“ THE MALAYA–US RECIPROCAL DEAL IS NOT OUR DEAL — SABAH & SARAWAK WERE NEVER CONSULTED”  
The so-called “Reciprocal Trade Agreement” signed between the United States and Malaysia on 26 Oct 2025 is yet another act of colonial arrogance by Putrajaya. It was signed without the knowledge or consent of Sabah and Sarawak, yet it binds our land, resources and future.

This deal allows Washington to dictate who Malaysia trades with, what we buy, and even what we broadcast.

It turns Petronas into a captive buyer of US gas, destroys local market protection, and treats Borneo’s oil and resources as bargaining chips for Malaya’s foreign alignment.

SSRANZ reminds the public that Malaysia has no lawful authority to make such commitments on behalf of Sabah and Sarawak.

The Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which allegedly created Malaysia, was void from the start (void ab initio) because the UK illegally transferred two still-colonial territories—North Borneo and Sarawak—to Malaya without a UN-supervised act of self-determination, breaching UNGA Resolutions 1514 and 1541.

Article 4 of MA63 even authorised Britain to “relinquish sovereignty to Malaya”—a colonial hand-over, not decolonisation. The people had no say in this important issue.

Under international law, only sovereign states can sign treaties; colonies cannot. Hence, all acts flowing from that void—including the Petroleum Development Act 1974 and now this Malaya–US Deal—have no legal force in Sabah and Sarawak.

This is not trade; it is economic annexation through contract.

The only lawful and lasting solution is decolonisation and independence for Sabah and Sarawak under the UN Charter and Resolutions 1514 & 1541. Until our nations are free, no foreign or federal deal can claim legitimacy in our name.

Robert Pei,
President SSRANZ
Sabah Sarawak Rights Australia–New Zealand
For Justice, Decolonisation & Independence