Sabahans demand autonomy, equitable wealth sharing and respect

Borneo Post

26-07-2025

To the esteemed federal leaders in the Peninsular, this open letter addresses the persistent and unacceptable disparity in development between Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia, as well as your condescending attitude towards us. For decades, Sabah has contributed significantly to the nation's wealth, yet its people continue to experience a stark imbalance in access to essential resources and opportunities. We, the citizens of Sabah, implore you to acknowledge this injustice and commit to a transformative and equitable partnership, grounded in the principles of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
The time for superficial gestures and unfulfilled promises has ended. We demand concrete action, demonstrably reflecting a genuine commitment to Sabah's rightful place within the Malaysian federation, as enshrined in the MA63. This requires a paradigm shift, recognizing Sabah not merely as a source of revenue, but as an equal partner in nation-building, deserving of respect, autonomy, and equitable resource allocation. The full and immediate implementation of the MA63 is paramount.
Our demands are not unreasonable, but rather essential for the well-being of our people and the integrity of the Malaysian nation. We specifically call for:
Full Implementation of MA63: The immediate and complete fulfillment of all outstanding provisions within the Malaysia Agreement 1963, addressing all outstanding issues of autonomy and self-governance.
40% Revenue Share: The immediate implementation of the 40% revenue share for Sabah, as rightfully stipulated within the spirit and intent of the MA63. This is not a request, but a right that must be honoured.
Equitable Revenue Sharing beyond 40%: A transparent and just system for the distribution of revenue generated from Sabah's natural resources, ensuring a substantial portion remains within the state for its development and the benefit of its citizens, exceeding the 40% minimum. Independent auditing and public accountability are non-negotiable.
Substantive Devolution of Power: A significant transfer of authority to Sabah, empowering local governance and decision-making on matters critical to our economic, social and cultural development. This encompasses resource management, infrastructure development, and educational policies, in accordance with the MA63.
Strategic Infrastructure Investment: Massive and sustained investment in critical infrastructure — roads, electricity grids, water management systems, and high-speed internet access — to eliminate the infrastructure deficit that hinders Sabah's progress. This investment must be commensurate with the state's contribution to the national economy.
Enhanced Education and Healthcare: A substantial increase in funding for quality education and healthcare, ensuring Sabahans have access to the same standards of service as their counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia. This includes addressing the shortage of qualified professionals and improving healthcare facilities.
Respect for Sabah's Cultural Heritage: Full recognition and respect for Sabah's unique cultural identity and the rights of its indigenous communities. This necessitates meaningful consultation and collaboration with local communities in all development initiatives, ensuring their voices are heard and their interests are protected.
Furthermore, we urge federal leaders to abandon the arrogant and condescending tone often employed during speeches and visits to Sabah. Such patronizing rhetoric is deeply offensive and undermines any genuine attempt at building trust and fostering a productive relationship. Respectful dialogue and genuine engagement are essential for meaningful progress.
We urge the National Unity Department to pull up their socks and live to its stated objective of uniting the nation. One step towards this is for the department to wake up from its very disappointing decades-long failure and to start promoting clear pictures of Sabah's social and cultural heritage and image in order for Peninsular Malaysians to understand us as a people far different in culture and history compared to those of theirs. The ignorance is this area is appalling with assumptions of us being uncivilised and living on trees, not having car-hailing services, mistaking Kota Kinabalu as located in Sarawak, having a different currency note or going around in loinclothes!
The future of Sabah is inextricably linked to the future of Malaysia. We urge you to act decisively and demonstrate your commitment to a truly united and equitable nation through tangible, measurable progress. Failure to address these critical issues will not only exacerbate existing inequalities but will also severely undermine the unity and stability of the Malaysian federation. We expect further reflections of this failure during the forthcoming campaign for the PRN17 with speeches marked with listen-to-us arrogance and condescension. Note wisely that such an approach to appealing for our support is long outdated, suitable perhaps for the time when we were still awe struck by your presence and assumed superiority. No more, please, of the insulting description of us as 'Paloi' (stupid) or 'screaming and cursing'. Failure on your part to change this attitude to one that is sincere and brotherly will only invite more distaste and backlash from us.
Continued neglect will inevitably lead to a deepening sense of alienation and disillusionment among Sabahans, potentially resulting in increased social unrest, political instability, and a significant erosion of public trust in the federal government. The people of Sabah deserve justice, and we will not stand idly by while our rights are ignored. We urge you to consider the serious ramifications of continued inaction and neglect.