Upholding Sarawak’s Rights with One Voice, One Future

suppadmin | July 19, 2025

Sarawak must never lose its voice or bargaining power within the Malaysian Federation, said Batu Kitang assemblyman YB Dato Ir Lo Khere Chiang, who stressed that the recent increase of 17 seats in the State Legislative Assembly is both constitutional and necessary to address rural underrepresentation.

In his Sarawak Independence Day message, Lo reminded that on 22 July 1963, Sarawak regained self-governance from the British, an important historical moment that marked the return of power to the people of Sarawak, not Malaya or Putrajaya.

“On this day 62 years ago, Sarawak stood tall as the British handed over the administration of Sarawak back to Sarawak not to Malaya, not to Putrajaya but to the people of Sarawak,” he said.

He pointed out that Sarawak, which is almost the size of Peninsular Malaysia, contributes significantly to the national economy but continues to receive the lowest development funding among all states.

“Sarawak holds approximately 61 percent of Malaysia’s proven oil reserves and over 60 percent of its gas reserves. Since the Petroleum Development Act 1974 came into force, we have contributed nearly RM1 trillion to the national coffers, yet we get back only five percent,” he said.

Despite this, Lo criticised DAP Sarawak for opposing the 17-seat increase in the Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN), saying their arguments over cost and salary were politically motivated and lacked concern for rural communities.

“They conveniently ignore that Peninsular Malaysia has over 400 state seats compared to Sarawak’s 82. Now we are only increasing it to 99, yet they make noise. They call our rural representatives ‘wakil tanah’ and ‘wakil trees’ is that not an insult to the people who live there?” he asked.

Lo said rural communities benefit directly from new representatives, who help bring development such as roads, bridges, rural clinics, solar lighting, youth centres, and clean water access.

“In Sarawak, one ADUN may serve just 12,000 people, but those people are scattered across jungle and river terrain, with no roads and no internet. Representation must be based on distance, difficulty, and service needs n mmnot just population size,” he said.

He warned that adopting a strict “one person, one vote” system would only entrench Peninsular dominance and undermine the rights promised to Sarawak under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Malaysia is not a unitary country. It is a federation. If we go by population alone, we will never get our one-third share in Parliament,” he said, noting that the increase in state seats also strengthens Sarawak’s case for more parliamentary representation in the future.

Lo also took a swipe at DAP’s record during their time in federal power between 2018 and 2020, saying they failed to address key Sarawak issues.

“They did nothing to repeal the Petroleum Development Act, to secure our territorial waters, or to fight for MA63. Now they criticise from the sidelines everything GPS is doing—from hydrogen buses to Affin Bank to the new seats,” he said.

He added that Sarawak must learn from Sabah’s experience, where internal division and the influx of Peninsular-based parties have weakened its autonomy.

“We cannot allow Malayan parties to gain a foothold here. Even two or three seats can be used to undermine our leaders and push West Malaysian politics into Sarawak,” he said.

Lo said GPS remains committed to protecting Sarawak’s rights and ensuring every citizen, urban or rural
is represented fairly.

“A strong, Sarawak-based DUN is our best defence against federal overreach. If GPS wins these new seats, we will have a stronger hand in negotiating for our rights over oil and gas, education, healthcare, and taxation,” he said.

He called on Sarawakians to stay united, focused and proud of their identity.

“Let us move forward together as One Sarawak, one voice, and our rightful one-third representation in Parliament. Happy Sarawak Independence Day,” said Lo.