Sarawak rights activist Peter John Jaban says the 2026 budget must go beyond merely providing East Malaysia with allocations.
Peter said any allocation granted to Sarawak should be made in the spirit of restoring the state’s rights and privileges as outlined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
He also called the current 5% oil and gas royalty “outdated and unjust”, saying royalties belong to the state, not the federal government.
“Under MA63, Sarawak helped form Malaysia as a partner, not as just one of the states.
“The allocation must reflect MA63 as well as our landmass, infrastructure needs, and the historical underdevelopment gap compared to Peninsular Malaysia.
“Greater autonomy over resources is key to restoring Sarawak’s rights and ensuring economic justice,” he said.
Sabah and…