One voice vital for Sabah, Sarawak in talks with Putrajaya, says Salleh

2026-03-14 - 02:13

Former Sabah chief minister Salleh Said Keruak said if the term ‘Borneo Bloc’ is sensitive, perhaps it is better described as a Sarawak–Sabah partnership. (Wikipedia pic) PETALING JAYA: It is vital for Sabah and Sarawak to coordinate their views and speak as one when handling major issues with the federal government, says Salleh Said Keruak. The former Sabah chief minister said not doing so would only weaken their position when dealing with Putrajaya. “If Sarawak and Sabah handle major issues separately, their bargaining position may weaken. When they coordinate their views and speak together, their voice will be stronger. “Of course, some issues may differ between Sarawak and Sabah. That is natural. But on matters of common interest, working together makes sense,” he said in a Facebook post this morning. He also reiterated the need for a Sarawak-Sabah partnership as it would reflect the original idea of Malaysia, that is, regions working together with mutual respect. “When Malaysia was formed in 1963, the Federal Constitution recognised Sabah and Sarawak as the ‘Borneo States’. Malaysia then consisted of three components: the states of Malaya, the Borneo States, and Singapore. “In 1976, the constitution was amended and the term ‘Borneo States’ was removed. Sabah and Sarawak were placed in the same list as the other states (in the peninsula),” he said. Salleh added that many believe this had blurred the original structure and spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). Touching on the issue of uniting Sarawak and Sabah as a “Borneo Bloc”, he said the intention is simply about closer cooperation between the two Borneo states on matters of common interest. “If the term ‘Borneo Bloc’ is sensitive, perhaps it is better described as a Sarawak–Sabah partnership,” he said, adding it would be acceptable although the term “Borneo States” itself was not reinstated.