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By DayakDaily Team KUCHING, Nov 6: Sarawak rights movement Saya Anak Sarawak (SAS) has condemned the newly signed Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) between Malaysia and the United States, describing it as a violation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and a direct threat to Borneo’s sovereignty. In a joint statement issued today, SAS claimed that the federal government in Putrajaya had once again entered into an international pact without the consultation or consent of Sabah and Sarawak, calling the move a “betrayal of federalism.” “This is not our deal. This is not our consent,” said activist Peter John Jaban. Echoing the sentiment, activist Dato Fabian Wong questioned the legitimacy of the trade pact, asking: “Why a deal signed without Borneo’s consent?” SAS insisted that major decisions impacting Borneo’s territories, particularly those involving natural resources, must first be discussed with the Sarawak government and the State Legislative Assembly (DUS), and that unilateral commitments by Putrajaya cannot bind Sabah and Sarawak. The group further expressed concern over provisions in the deal involving the purchase of up to 5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) worth an estimated USD3.4 billion per year through multi-year agreements with Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS). SAS alleged that this arrangement compels PETRONAS to buy US natural gas, tying Malaysia’s national oil company to long-term dependence on foreign suppliers and undermining Borneo’s resource sovereignty. “This move mortgages Borneo’s resources for federal alignment. It is economic annexation through contract,” SAS said. The group also warned that the trade pact could harm local industries by restricting Malaysia’s ability to prioritise domestic producers if doing so disadvantages US corporations. “Local farmers, fishermen and small entrepreneurs in Borneo would be forced to compete with heavily subsidised American agribusinesses without State protection,” it added. SAS also raised alarm over provisions that could increase the influx of foreign content on Malaysian television, which they believe would erode cultural sovereignty and diminish the presence of indigenous languages and Sarawakian narratives. Calling for immediate action, SAS urged the Sarawak government to make State ratification mandatory for any external trade deal affecting Borneo’s economy, resources or culture. It also proposed building stronger direct partnerships with regional neighbours such as Brunei, Kalimantan and Southern Philippines to strengthen Borneo’s position as “the heart of the East Indies trade corridor.” Another activist William Mangor stressed the urgency of developing a concrete plan to safeguard Sarawak’s rights and resources. “The sooner this plan is developed and executed, the better,” he said. – DayakDaily
