PARTI Bumi Kenyalang’s “People’s Parliament” aims to rekindle Sarawakians’ awareness of their constitutional rights and demand overdue action on Malaysia Agreement 1963 promises The Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) was more than a legal instrument – it was a solemn covenant that brought Sarawak, Sabah, and Malaya together to form the Malaysian federation.
It promised equal partnership, autonomy, and control over natural resources, including land, forests, and oil and gas.
For Sarawakians, it was never just about joining a nation, but about entering into a partnership of equals.
But more than six decades later, that spirit has been steadily undermined – and the unfinished business of MA63 has become one of the longest-standing constitutional grievances in Malaysia’s nationhood.
The Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA 1974), a central grievance in Sarawak’s political discourse, was enacted without the consent or participation of the Sarawak State Assembly. Through it, control of oil and gas was centralised under Petronas – a move many Sarawakians view as constitutional overreach. It symbolises the broader erosion of Sarawak’s rights, a trend that has continued despite repeated political assurances.
While successive federal and state governments have made public commitments to “restore” Sarawak’s rights under MA63, these efforts have been piecemeal, opaque, and politically selective, often surfacing only around election seasons. For many in Sarawak, including voices within civil society and the political opposition, these promises are beginning to ring hollow.
This issue is not new – it is decades old, and the time for delay has passed.
What is urgently needed now is decisive political will, genuine federal-state dialogue, and tangible legal reform to give life to the promises made in 1963. Against this backdrop, Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) has announced the holding of a peaceful public assembly titled the People’s Parliament, scheduled for May 17, from 3.30pm to 6pm, at the Old Kuching Courthouse and Kuching Waterfront.
PBK president Voon Lee Shan, a self-styled Sarawak independence fighter, said that the event is designed to bring attention to the state’s long-standing grievances over oil rights and the failure to honour the full scope of MA63.
“Sarawak will never have a fair deal in the sharing of oil and gas resources under the current arrangement. PBK will explain to the public why this injustice continues and what we intend to do about it,” he said.
The assembly will also address the broader political status of Sarawak within the federation – including the lack of equal recognition, the centralisation of power in Putrajaya, and the slow, reluctant implementation of long-promised reforms tied to MA63.
“We want to explain in detail how the federal government has failed to honour MA63. This isn’t just a legal matter – it’s about our dignity, our future, and our rightful place as equal partners in the Federation,” Voon added.
In a state where identity and autonomy are fiercely cherished, PBK’s assembly is not just a political event; it is a reflection of a growing popular awakening.
There is a rising belief – especially among younger Sarawakians – that talk must give way to concrete action, and that federalism must be recalibrated to respect the original terms of union. Voon stressed that the event is fully compliant with Malaysian law.
“Police have been notified of the upcoming event. Under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, the police are to facilitate public safety and must not harass any attendees. The right to peaceful assembly is guaranteed by law and the Federal Constitution,” he said.
Indeed, assemblies such as the People’s Parliament should not be viewed as anti-national, but as expressions of constitutional democracy. They represent not rebellion, but a call to reclaim long-denied rights through peaceful civic discourse.
The unfinished promises of MA63 have lingered far too long. If Malaysia is to move forward as a truly united and just federation, these promises must no longer be shelved – they must be honoured with urgency and sincerity.
After all, Malaysia’s unity was never built on coercion – it was built on consent. And consent, once betrayed, demands reconciliation, not suppression.
According Voon: “The People’s Parliament is open to all Sarawakians, and perhaps more importantly, it is open to the ‘truth’ – a truth long buried beneath political expediency, now clawing its way back into the light.” – May 15, 2025