“Don’t drag Borneo states into the dark hole”: Sarawak activists condemn US-Malaysia trade deal

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THE Sarawak rights movement Saya Anak Sarawak (SAS) has issued a fiery rejection of the recently signed Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) between the Government of Malaysia and the United States of America.

It said Putrajaya has once again entered an international pact without the requisite consultation or consent of the Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak, constituting a betrayal of federalism and a direct violation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

No consent, no deal

Speaking on behalf of the people of Sarawak, activist Peter John Jaban stated firmly, “This is not our deal. This is not our consent.”

The activists argue that the federal government’s decision-making process is fundamentally flawed and neglects the status of Borneo states as equal partners in the Federation.

Fellow SAS spokesperson Datuk Fabian Wong also questioned the legitimacy of the pact, asking, “Why was a deal signed without Borneo’s consent?”

“Once again, Putrajaya has entered an international agreement without consultation or representation from Sabah and Sarawak. The federal government, particularly Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, must not make major decisions that affect our territory without prior consultation with the Sarawak government, the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), and without informing the public.”

SAS further insisted that unilateral decisions made by Putrajaya cannot bind Sabah and Sarawak, and that using Sarawak’s resources as “tribute or collateral” for federal deals is unacceptable.

Threat to Borneo’s resource sovereignty

According to SAS, the gravest concern raised is the deal’s impact on Borneo’s control over its vital oil and gas resources.

It went on to highlight the commitment made by Malaysia, as noted in the White House documentation on the trade agreement, which includes a significant commercial deal:

(Quoted from White House Documentation on Malaysia-USA Trade Agreement)

“Purchase of up to 5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of Liquified Natural Gas estimated at up to US$3.4 bil per year (through multi-year agreements with Petronas in Malaysia).”

“SAS interprets this as a compulsory and damaging concession, declaring it a Threat not only to petronas but to Borneo’s resource sovereignty,” the NGO stated.

“The deal compels Petronas to purchase US natural gas, tying the nation’s national oil company to long-term dependence on American suppliers—a move that undermines Petronas’ independence and strips Sabah and Sarawak of their bargaining power over our own oil and gas resources which is our rightful leverage under MA63.

“Our group asserts that by effectively turning Petronas into a guaranteed customer for foreign exporters, Putrajaya has mortgaged Borneo’s resources for federal alignment, an act that is an economic annexation through contract.”

Damage to local industries and cultural sovereignty

SAS further warned that the agreement extends beyond energy to compromise the survival of local communities and the integrity of Sarawakian culture:

Local industries left unprotected: The trade pact allegedly prohibits Malaysia from protecting or prioritising local industries if it disadvantages US corporations, forcing local farmers, fishermen, and small entrepreneurs in Borneo to compete against heavily subsidised American agribusinesses without state support.
Cultural colonisation: Provisions opening the door for increased foreign content on Malaysian television are seen as weakening cultural sovereignty, reducing space for indigenous languages, Sarawakian and Sabahan stories, and replacing them with imported values and narratives.

Call for immediate action and regional reorientation

Saya Anak Sarawak went on to issue a clear message to the people of Borneo and the Sarawak government:

Mandatory state ratification: Any external economic or trade agreement signed by Putrajaya that affects Sabah or Sarawak’s resources, economy, or culture must be ratified by the State Legislative Assemblies before it can take effect within the Borneo territories.
Borneo-first partnerships: Sabah and Sarawak must build direct partnerships with regional neighbours, specifically Brunei, Kalimantan (Indonesia’s Nusantara), and Southern Philippines, to strengthen trade and diplomacy and establish Borneo as the “heart of the East Indies trade corridor”.

Activist William Mangor stressed the immediate need to craft and implement a concrete plan to persuade the present Sarawak government and relevant state institutions to act decisively to protect our rights and resources.

“The sooner this plan is developed and executed, the better,” he added.

“We reject colonialism, both foreign and internal. We reject any trade pact that chains Borneo without Borneo’s consent. We stand for self-government within the federation, as promised by MA63.” ‒ Nov 6, 2025

 

Main image: PMO/Afiq Hambali

The post “Don’t drag Borneo states into the dark hole”: Sarawak activists condemn US-Malaysia trade deal first appeared on Focus Malaysia.

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