Sarawak’s wealth for Sarawakians

“Sarawak is a state, we are not the federal government. If Sarawak is now developing, it’s because we manage our economy well. For the other states, it’s up to them to work hard. How can we give to other states when our own development is not done yet?”

– Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

During the 2024 International Showcaves Association (ISCA) conference which took place in September, I remember a chat with delegates from Slovenia who expressed a deep curiosity about Sarawak.

They peppered me with questions — about Sarawak’s economic pulse, its infrastructure and facilities, whether Sarawak is a state or region in Malaysia and even how Sarawak views its role in global issues like climate change.

But there was one question that truly caught me off guard: “So, do you consider yourself more Malaysian or Sarawakian?”

Without hesitation, I answered, “I am a proud Sarawakian who is also Malaysian.”

It is a simple statement, but one that carries the weight of how deeply identity is felt in this corner of the world.

As such, I was quite surprised at the audacity of former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad’s recent call for high-income Sarawak to share its wealth with less prosperous states.

This call was obviously met with strong disapproval by many Sarawakians including a strong rebuttal from Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The Premier’s pointed rejection of this proposal, which he deemed “unreasonable,” brings to light not only Sarawak’s economic priorities but also a broader sense of injustice felt by Sarawak and Sabah over the erosion of their rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

In response to Dr. Mahathir’s suggestion, the Premier asserted that Sarawak’s first responsibility is to address its own development gaps, particularly in rural areas where poverty and infrastructure disparities remain.

“Sarawak is just a state in Malaysia, not the federal government for it to help other states,” he said.

This distinction reflects a deep frustration in Sarawak regarding federal expectations and, more importantly, the federal government’s historic neglect of the unique rights granted to Sarawak and Sabah under MA63.

The Premier’s stance is clear: rather than expecting Sarawak to redistribute its wealth, the federal government should focus on rectifying its own obligations to Malaysia’s poorest states.

Sarawak’s determination to retain its wealth for local development is rooted in a history of unfulfilled promises and eroded rights under MA63.

When Sarawak and Sabah joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963, they were assured a degree of autonomy and special protections to safeguard their development.

These rights, which included control over immigration, religion, and natural resources, one third representations in Parliament, have been steadily diluted over the decades, contributing to longstanding feelings of marginalisation among East Malaysians.

Under MA63, Sarawak and Sabah were promised that their interests would be safeguarded, including fair shares of revenue from natural resources like oil and gas.

Instead, these states have seen a significant portion of their resource-generated revenue directed to the federal government, leaving Sarawak and Sabah to rely only on a limited state sales tax on petroleum products from Petronas.

The Premier’s response directly addresses this injustice by stating that Sarawak has been managing its economy well.

“That’s why Sarawak is able to achieve high-income status. So, it’s up to the other states to manage their economy and work harder,” he said.

His words are a clear reminder that Sarawak’s high-income status has been achieved through self-reliance, not through federal support.

The Premier also pointed out that while Sarawak contributes substantially to the nation’s oil and gas sector, the lion’s share of this revenue is retained by Putrajaya.

This imbalance has only intensified Sarawak’s push for greater autonomy and respect for its MA63 rights, which continue to be a point of contention between East Malaysia and the federal government.

For Sarawak, the journey toward high-income status is a symbol of resilience—a resilience that has developed despite federal policies, not because of them.

The Premier’s response to Dr. Mahathir’s call highlights a critical issue within Malaysia’s federation: the difference between redistribution and recognition of autonomy.

While Dr. Mahathir sees wealth-sharing as a step toward collective progress, Abang Johari’s perspective highlights that this vision cannot be built on the shoulders of states whose rights have historically been neglected.

His retort, “charity begins at home,” illustrates Sarawak’s determination to address its internal needs, especially given the federal government’s track record of MA63 erosion and unequal revenue distribution.

For Sarawak, any discussion about contributing to other states must first acknowledge the decades of federal encroachment on its autonomy.

“There are many people here whose essential needs have yet to be fulfilled. That’s why the Sarawak government’s focus right now is on developing our villages, not the villages of other [states],” said Abang Johari.

This approach is not merely a matter of financial priority; it’s a stance that reaffirms Sarawak’s identity and its hard-won autonomy and success within the federation.

The Premier’s comments also serve as a reminder to the federal government of its duty to honour the commitments enshrined in MA63.

If Malaysia were to fulfil the promise of a united and prosperous federation, then the federal government must ensure that Sarawak and Sabah receive equitable resource shares and that their autonomy is respected.

Dr. Mahathir’s call for redistribution, while perhaps well-intentioned, fails to address the deeper issue of justice for East Malaysia—a justice that begins with fulfilling the promises of MA63.

Sarawak’s wealth, as Abang Johari rightly points out, should be invested in its own communities.

This is not only a question of economic development but also a matter of rectifying decades of overlooked obligations and reaffirming the federal government’s responsibility to both Sarawak and Sabah.

Abang Johari’s retort to Dr. Mahathir is more than a rejection of wealth-sharing; it is a call for recognition of Sarawak’s rights and its need for fair treatment within Malaysia’s federation.

Sarawak’s high-income status is a testament to its economic prudence and resilience in the face of federal challenges.

But this success should not be used to justify further demands on the state, especially given the federal government’s history of the MA63 rights erosion.

If Malaysia is to uphold its federalist ideals, then the responsibility for assisting poorer states lies squarely with the federal government, not with Sarawak.

Afterall, Sarawak’s wealth belongs to Sarawakians, and its primary duty is to its own people.