Lo: Rafizi’s call for S’wak to refer interpretation of boundaries to AGC alarming, sparks outrage

KUCHING (Aug 14): Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli’s recent remarks for Sarawak to be guided and bound by the Attorney General Chamber’s advice on issues related to the interpretation of boundaries have sparked alarm and outrage across Sarawak, said Datuk Lo Khere Chiang.

Rafizi had said this in relation to the development of carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) framework for Malaysia, where he said the interpretation of boundaries are outlined in the Continental Shelf Act (1966), Exclusive Economic Zone Act (1984), and Territorial Sea Act (2012).

“Malaysia’s unity hinges on respect and adherence to the MA63 (Malaysia Agreement 1963). Any attempt to undermine or reinterpret the boundaries established by MA63 is not just a political misstep; it’s a direct threat to the very fabric of our nation,” Lo, who is Batu Kitang assemblyman, said in a press statement today.

“MA63 is not a mere formality; it is the foundational agreement that brought Malaysia into existence. For the minister to issue a statement casting doubt on Sarawak’s established boundaries and suggesting ongoing disputes with federal authorities is nothing short of a betrayal of that sacred pact.”

Lo pointed out Sarawak’s boundaries, including its continental shelf, had been defined and protected by law long before this recent controversy.

The Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) deputy secretary-general said The Sarawak (Alteration of Boundaries) Order 1954 and subsequent legislation firmly established these borders.

To question these legal frameworks now is not just legally unsound but blatantly disregarding the spirit of MA63, he argued.

“Let’s be clear. MA63 is not negotiable – it is a binding agreement that defines Malaysia’s very existence,” he stressed.

Lo said the federal government’s recent attempts to reinterpret these boundaries in a way that undermines Sarawak’s rights is a dangerous precedent.

It undermines trust and threatens the unity of Malaysia itself, he said.

“If the federal government cannot honour the terms of MA63, it is not Sarawak that will suffer—it is the whole nation that stands to lose. The integrity of Malaysia is at stake. Disrespecting MA63 undermines the very principles on which this nation was built,” he said.

According to him, the Sarawak government has been clear that all carbon storage projects undertaken within the boundaries of Sarawak must be regulated by state laws.

He said the Sarawak government has stated categorically that the state’s boundaries are not a matter under discussion through the MA63 platform.

“The boundaries of Sarawak, including the Continental Shelf, its rights therein, cannot be subject to any negotiation. This is not open for debate. The MA63 agreement is sacrosanct, and Sarawakians will not stand idly by while our rights are questioned or disregarded.

“We call on the Minister of Economy to heed this warning: Respect MA63, or face the very real possibility of eroding whatever is left of the unity of Malaysia.

“The future of our nation depends on honouring the agreements that brought us together. Know this: There is no Malaysia without MA63,” he said.

He stressed it is time to reaffirm commitment to the agreement that made Malaysia a reality as anything less would be a betrayal to the nation’s principles and a threat to a shared future.

On Aug 7, Rafizi was quoted by national media as saying his ministry had assured Sarawak that the proposed legislative framework for the CCUS industry will adhere to the Malaysia Agreement 1963’s ongoing discussions on state boundaries.

He said while the MA63 platform’s discussion on the different interpretation of boundaries between the federal and Sarawak governments is ongoing, the Ministry of Economy will keep abreast with its progress to ensure CCUS legislation reflects the understanding reached.

Rafizi was responding to Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s calls for clarification on the differing interpretations of state boundaries between the Sarawak and federal governments.

Abang Johari also emphasised that any business in the state, especially those involving trade, must respect Sarawak’s rulings and rights.