SUPP Youth lodges police report against “Berita 757” over historical narratives

Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP) logo.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Mar 1: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Youth Central has lodged a police report against the Facebook page “Berita 757” over a video titled “Sarawak Buta Sejarah”, which the group says spreads misleading information about Sarawak’s history and constitutional rights.

The report was lodged today at the Sibu police station by SUPP Youth chief Kevin Lau.

In a statement, SUPP Youth claimed the video distorts Sarawak’s historical sovereignty and denies its constitutional position, including issues related to the State’s continental shelf.

“Such irresponsible reporting risks misleading the public and undermining the constitutional foundations upon which Malaysia was formed,” it said.

The group outlined Sarawak’s constitutional history, noting that the State had three constitutions: the 1941 Constitution under Charles Vyner Brooke, the 1957 Constitution during British Crown Colony rule, and the current framework after Malaysia’s formation in 1963.

“Prior to the formation of Malaysia, Sarawak was internationally recognised as a legal entity under the Brooke administration and later as a Crown Colony. During those periods, Sarawak had its own constitution, legislature, courts, and enacted laws known as Ordinances.

“Legally and historically, Sarawak functioned as a self-governing territory with its own legal system. Sarawak also attained self-governance on 22 July 1963, when the first Chief Minister, Stephen Kalong Ningkan, took office – a day now commemorated as Sarawak Day,” the group stated.

SUPP Youth also highlighted Sarawak’s key laws, such as the Oil Mining Ordinance 1954 and the Land Code 1958, which governed oil exploration, land ownership, and Native Customary Rights (NCR).

“Upon the formation of Malaysia under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Article 162 of the Federal Constitution preserved Sarawak’s existing laws unless repealed or amended in accordance with the law. These laws therefore remained valid and operative.

“The actions of the Sarawak government in asserting its rights and autonomy are grounded firmly in the Federal Constitution, MA63, the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report, and Sarawak’s own legal framework, including matters concerning the definition and understanding of its continental shelf,” it stressed.

The group further called on the police to investigate the sources cited in the video and ensure proper fact-checking.

They also urged authorities to examine whether such reporting could potentially cause division between East and West Malaysia by attempting to rewrite established historical facts.

“SUPP Youth Central will continue to stand firm in defending Sarawak’s rights. Sarawak must be recognised as one of the equal entities that formed Malaysia in 1963.

“Respecting Sarawak’s historical and constitutional position is fundamental to strengthening mutual trust, preserving national unity, and building a stronger Malaysia together,” they emphasised. – DayakDaily