Kuala Lumpur: Tuaran Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau rejected claims that Sabah and Sarawak are using the proposed Borneo Bloc to consolidate political power at the federal level, saying such assertions ignore both historical facts and constitutional provisions.
Responding to remarks by former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, Tangau said Sabah and Sarawak’s demands are grounded entirely in the Federal Constitution and the documents that led to the formation of Malaysia.
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“This is not about seeking more than what we are entitled to. It is about implementing what was agreed upon in 1963, but was conveniently ignored by the central government over the years,” he said.
Zaid suggested on Monday that Sabah and Sarawak already have strong political leverage within Malaysia and are now trying to increase it further through the proposed Borneo Bloc.
He argued that they secured significant safeguards and advantages when Malaysia was formed and continue to benefit from special rights and ongoing negotiations.
“Whatever safeguards that we have secured in 1963 was given simply as a precondition for Sabah and Sarawak to agree to the formation of Malaysia,” said Madius who is also Upko Honorary President.
“Zaid would remember the 20 points for Sabah and 18 Points for Sarawak as our condition to form Malaysia.
“They lured us to agree to form a new nation called Malaysia, and we reluctantly agreed. Remember one-third of Sabahans disagree to the formation of Malaysia,” he added. Another one-third was unsure why only one-third agreed.
He stressed that the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report and the Federal Constitution form the legal foundation of Malaysia.
He pointed to Article 1 of the Federal Constitution, saying the principle of equal partnership is embedded in the constitutional definition of the Federation.
He noted that while the wording was altered in 1976, Parliament amended the provision again in 2021 to restore the original formulation recognising Sabah and Sarawak’s status within the Federation.
“That amendment was passed by Parliament. It reaffirms that Sabah and Sarawak are not merely one among many states, but integral partners in the formation of Malaysia,” he said.
Madius also cited Article 161E, which provides constitutional safeguards requiring the consent of Sabah and Sarawak for amendments affecting their special rights.
“These protections are entrenched in the Constitution. They are not political concessions or tactical tools.
They are part of the federal structure,” he said, believing that Zaid is well aware of these facts.
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