17-07-2025
Seize the moment: PBK tells GPS to push for full MA63 implementation amid federal instability
Ting says the ruling coalition in Sarawak should leverage the current advantage of 'timing, geography, and unity' to pressure the federal government into meaningful action.
MIRI (July 18): Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) has called on Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to seize the current national political turbulence as an opportunity to restore Sarawak's rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
PBK Miri Division chairman and Supreme Council organising secretary Leslie Ting Siong Ngiap said the ruling coalition in Sarawak should leverage the current advantage of 'timing, geography, and unity' to pressure the federal government into meaningful action.
In a statement yesterday, Ting highlighted the upcoming MA63 Implementation Action Council meeting, scheduled for Sept 12, 2025, during which Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to make decisions on Sarawak's demands under the agreement.
'I call on GPS to use its support for Anwar as a bargaining chip to demand the unconditional return of Sarawak's rights and sovereignty as outlined in MA63. The outcome of the September 12 meeting could bring good news for Sarawak,' he said.
As such, he said GPS should press for constitutional guarantees based on MA63 and the 1962 Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report to restore Sarawak's entitlement to one-third of parliamentary seats.
He argued that this approach would be 'far more effective and realistic' than the Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP) leadership's view that increasing state seats would pave the way for more parliamentary representation.
The PBK leader cited recent political instability in Peninsular Malaysia ― including federal government crises, internal conflicts among peninsular parties, and movements to oust the Prime Minister ― as creating a favourable window for Sarawak.
'The Sarawak Government should seize this rare alignment of timing, geography, and unity to apply pressure and demand unconditional implementation of MA63, including the return of Sarawak's ownership over natural resources, sovereignty in education, healthcare, and taxation, and the constitutional increase of Sarawak's parliamentary seats,' Ting said.
He pointed to the current national political landscape, which has been rocked by allegations of judicial interference against the Prime Minister, with multiple parties demanding his resignation and calling for a Royal Commission of Inquiry.
Former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has also urged Members of Parliament to table a vote of no confidence against Anwar in the Dewan Rakyat, increasing the likelihood of such a motion in the upcoming parliamentary session and putting the unity government at risk.
Ting also noted the fallout with former PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, who along with eight other PKR backbenchers, has reportedly criticised the Prime Minister, threatening to destabilise Anwar's leadership and the Madani Government.
He argued that if the nine MPs withdrew their support, the government's parliamentary majority would shrink from 153 to 144 seats, positioning GPS with its 22 seats as kingmaker once again.
'This would put GPS in the position of holding the key to Anwar's survival as Prime Minister,' Ting said.
Anwar has met with Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in Putrajaya on July 14, underscoring the importance of close and strategic collaboration between federal and state governments, particularly with Sabah and Sarawak.
'This clearly reflects Anwar's urgent need for Sarawak's support to stabilise his position and preserve his administration.' gps lead MA63 PBK seize the moment
