Budget 2025: NGOs want targeted allocations for Sarawak-Sabah indigenous communities

KUCHING (Oct 14): A group of Sarawak-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has called on the federal government to introduce targeted financial allocations for the Orang Asal or indigenous communities of Sarawak and Sabah under the national Budget 2025.

The NGOs said the move would ensure justice, equality, and adherence to the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and appealed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Unity government to ensure no community is left behind in the budget distribution.

They said equitable development across Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, and Sabah is vital and stressed the national budget should fairly reflect the country’s ethnic diversity.

“There have been specific allocations for the Chinese, Indian, and Orang Asli communities in recent federal budgets. However, the indigenous people of Sarawak and Sabah have not received such provisions, which reflects an imbalance.

“We believe Orang Asal from both states deserve their own share of the national budget in 2025,” the NGOs said in a joint statement.

According to them, since the formation of Malaysia in 1963, indigenous Sarawakians have often felt marginalised, with limited or no special financial allocations provided to uplift their communities.

They argued that MA63, which laid the foundation for the federation, was signed in good faith with the hope that wealth and development would be shared equally among all regions and communities.

The coalition also pointed out the significant economic contributions Sarawak makes to the national economy, particularly through natural resources and taxation.

The NGOs lamented the absence of financial support for indigenous people, including the Kadazan-Dusun-Murut-Rungus (KDMR) communities in Sabah.

“This imbalance in the distribution of funds undermines the idea of ‘shared prosperity’ that is frequently promoted. No community should be left behind, especially the indigenous people of Sarawak and Sabah, who are integral to the nation’s identity,” said the NGOs.

They called on the government to align with the principles of “Malaysia Madani,” a vision of inclusive development championed by Anwar.

They stressed the well-being, education, and socioeconomic development of indigenous communities must be prioritised in the budget to help lift them out of poverty.

“Special allocations could be used to fund education initiatives, sports development, and the promotion of cultural heritage among the indigenous people,” said the statement.

The NGOs also reminded the government that safeguarding the rights of Sarawak and Sabah’s indigenous people is enshrined in the Federal Constitution under Article 153(1), which mandates the Yang di-Pertuan Agong protect their special status.

They urged Anwar to make history as the first prime minister to establish a dedicated fund for the Orang Asal of Sarawak and Sabah in the national budget.

“As Malaysia commemorates its nation-building journey with the theme ‘Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka’ for both National Day and Malaysia Day 2024, we hope the government will honour the original promises of MA63,” said the statement.

“We trust that the Unity government will uphold transparency and fairness in disbursing federal grants according to the principles outlined in MA63. The creation of special allocations would signify progress in ongoing discussions regarding the agreement’s implementation.

“We appeal to the government to recognise this special allocation request as part of the ongoing fulfilment of MA63,” said the NGOs.

The statement was signed by Sarawak Intellectuals Association deputy presidents Wellie Henry Majang and Ricky Sani, as well as legal advisor Paul Raja; Miri-based Persatuan Kebajikan Persaudaraan Sahabat or Kaban Menyadi president Thomas Inau; Raban Semadak Borneo Brotherhood president Jerry Robert; and Rara Community Association president Robert Umping.