BERSIH dan Pemimpin Siswa Gesa Polis Bebaskan Pemimpin Siswa Yang Ditahan Hari Ini di IPD KK

Borneo Herald

2.00PM MYT, 4-3-2026

Oleh Fadhil Kasim, Tawau

(1) KAMI menggesa pembebasan serta-merta Sudirman Arshad, Mahasiswa Hubungan Antarabangsa UMS yang kini ditahan polis ketika hadir hari ini di IPD Kota Kinabalu untuk memberi keterangan di bawah Seksyen 4(1) Akta Hasutan 1948.

(2) Siasatan ini adalah berhubung perkongsian Sudirman yang menjelaskan bahawa kedudukan TYT Sabah bukanlah kuasa mutlak dan boleh dipecat melalui mekanisme yang diperuntukkan dalam Perlembagaan Negeri Sabah dengan sokongan dua per tiga Dewan Undangan Negeri. Kenyataan tersebut mempunyai asas undang-undang yang kuat, jelas dan teliti.

(3) Menjelaskan fakta perlembagaan bukan satu jenayah. Dalam sistem demokrasi berperlembagaan, semua jawatan tertakluk kepada peruntukan perundangan sebagai mekaniskme semak dan imbang. Mengkriminalisasikan wacana perundangan rakyat hanya akan menjejaskan ruang kebebasan bersuara dan menyekat budaya intelektual masyarakat.

(4) Kerajaan MADANI di bawah pimpinan Anwar Ibrahim dan pentadbiran negeri Sabah di bawah Hajiji Noor tidak boleh terus berselindung di sebalik slogan reformasi sementara pada masa yang sama membiarkan undang-undang represif dan keji digunakan untuk membungkam rakyat yang bersuara. Jika benar komited kepada perubahan, hentikan segera intimidasi politik, tarik balik siasatan yang bermotif menakutkan awam, dan buktikan bahawa reformasi bukan sekadar retorik penuh kepalsuan.

(5) Bersih bersolidariti penuh bersama Sudirman Arshad dan seluruh mahasiswa yang berani berdiri di barisan hadapan mempertahankan hak bersuara, menjunjung prinsip keadilan dan tidak gentar menyatakan kebenaran demi maruah rakyat dan demokrasi negeri ini.

(6) Kami turut menggesa pemansuhan segera Akta Hasutan 1948 yang saban tahun digunakan autoriti sebagai alat menekan, menakut-nakutkan dan mengintimidasi para aktivis. Undang-undang lapuk ini tidak selari dengan semangat demokrasi seharusnya meraikan kebebasan ekspresi dan bersuara seperti yang dijamin perlembagaan negara.

Fadhil Kasim ialah seorang pemimpin siswa UMS dan juga naib pengerusi Bersih Sabah#~Borneo Herald™

No Such Thing As "Borneo Block" Controling Malaya, Only Equal Partners, Says PBK President

                              Voon Lee Shan

Borneo Herald 

10.00AM MYT, 4-3-2026

This is in response to comments made by some activists and politicians of a certain alleged "Borneo Bloc" for combined 56 Sabah and Sarawak MPs.

By Voon Lee Shan, Kuching

TODAY, Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) reaffirms a fundamental truth: there is no such thing as observed by PBK that there is a so-called “Borneo Bloc” conspiring to control Malaya. That narrative is a convenient distortion to confuse the general public. 

There is no unified bloc of Sabah and Sarawak acting as one political force to dominate anyone. In reality, both Sarawak and Sabah have been struggling—individually and consistently—to defend the rights guaranteed to them at the formation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963.

The historical record is clear. Malaysia was formed as a partnership of Malaya, Sarawak, Sabah, and Singapore. It was not meant to be an expansion of Malaya under a new name, Malaysia. 

The Federal Constitution remains fundamentally rooted in the Constitution of the Federation of Malaya, modified to admit new territories. What was promised as an equal partnership has, in practice, operated as central control by the federation of Malaya. 

 The balance of power within federal Parliament tells its own story: Sarawak holds 31 seats, Sabah 25—together insufficient to block federal legislation even when it directly affects their independence, resources, and future. This is seen by growing unsatisfaction of people of Borneo Territories of control and " political suffocation " of Borneo people. They are not able to protect their constitutional rights. 

Control of national policy, cabinet formation, and executive authority remains concentrated in the hands of Malaya. The Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah and Sarawak are appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, yet neither state has the institutional pathway to hold that highest office. Symbolism matters. Power structures matter even more.

The Petroleum Development Act 1974 marked a turning point. Through that Act, along with subsequent federal legislation such as the Continental Shelf framework and territorial sea expansions, oil and gas resources—long belonging to our territories of Sabah and Sarawak —were centralized under Petronas and effectively placed under the authority of the Prime Minister. The economic lifeblood of Borneo was transferred away from the people of Borneo.

Is not Malaya controlling Borneo Territories? 

How could Borneo territories even if there is a "Borneo Bloc" able to control Malaya? 

This is not a matter of sentiment. It is a matter of constitutional reality, political representation, and economic sovereignty.

It is difficult to convince rising "political tide" in Sabah and Sarawak that Sabah and Sarawak are not colonies of Malaya or at least been treated as colonies of Malaya. 

Parti Bumi Kenyalang states unequivocally:

Sarawak is not a colony.

Sabah is not a colony.

Malaysia was never meant to be a unitary state dominated by one region.

The call for restoration of rights is not extremism. It is not anti-federal. It is a legitimate demand grounded in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (if valid) and the principle of equal partnership.

We reject fear-based narratives that paint Bornean self-determination as aggression. We reject the myth of a “Borneo Bloc” seeking control over Malaya. The real imbalance lies elsewhere.

The time has come for honest national reflection.

If Malaysia is to endure as a just federation, it must confront its structural inequalities. True unity cannot be built upon centralization that sidelines founding partners. True federation cannot survive without genuine independence, fiscal justice, and political balance.

Parti Bumi Kenyalang stands firm:

Restore independence.

Restore resource rights.

Restore equal partnership.

Only then can Malaysia become what it was meant to be—not an enlargement of Malaya, but a federation of equals.

Voon Lee Shan is President of a Sarawak-based nationalist party, Parti Bumi Kenyalang#~Borneo Herald™

Apa Yang Armizan GRS Melalut Sedangkan GRS Sekongkol Dengan Parti Malaya?

                         Daniel John Jambun 

Borneo Herald 

9.45AM MYT, 1-3-2026

Oleh Daniel John Jambun, Inanam

BORNEO's Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo) mengambil maklum kenyataan terkini oleh Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, Timbalan Setiausaha Agung Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), yang menyeru supaya Sabah dan Sarawak membentuk satu blok bersatu menjelang Pilihan Raya Umum akan datang.

Dari segi prinsip, BoPiMaFo bersetuju bahawa Sabah dan Sarawak memiliki kekuatan signifikan di Parlimen. Dengan jumlah keseluruhan 57 kerusi, negeri-negeri Borneo berpotensi menjadi penentu dalam Parlimen yang sengit — sebagaimana yang terbukti selepas Pilihan Raya Umum Malaysia 2022.

Namun, angka semata-mata tidak mencipta daya tawar.

Daya tawar memerlukan kebebasan, kejelasan agenda, dan keberanian untuk berunding.

BoPiMaFo bimbang bahawa seruan kepada “blok Borneo bersatu” akan kedengaran kosong sekiranya kepimpinan politik Sabah masih bergantung secara struktur kepada gabungan berasaskan Semenanjung dan rangkaian naungan persekutuan.

Sabah tidak boleh secara kredibel mendakwa status sebagai penentu kuasa (kingmaker) sekiranya:

Mengelak daripada mengemukakan tuntutan tegas dan berjangka masa terhadap pelaksanaan Perjanjian Malaysia 1963 (MA63);

Bersikap berhati-hati dalam menegaskan hak perlembagaan berkaitan kelayakan hasil dan tadbir urus petroleum;

Terus menjalin jajaran politik yang melemahkan autonomi rundingan Sabah.

Kesatuan bukan sekadar slogan yang dilaungkan ketika musim pilihan raya.

Ia mesti dibuktikan melalui disiplin institusi dan pendirian perlembagaan sebelum undi dibuang.

Kesepaduan relatif Sarawak berpunca daripada dominasi parti tempatan yang konsisten serta kerangka rundingan yang jelas dengan Kerajaan Persekutuan. Sabah, sebaliknya, masih belum menginstitusikan satu platform Sabah-dahulu (Sabah-first) yang bersatu dan merentas parti serta mengikat Ahli-Ahli Parlimennya.

Sehubungan itu, BoPiMaFo menggesa para pemimpin Sabah supaya melangkaui retorik dan secara terbuka komited kepada:

1. Satu agenda Borneo bertulis yang tidak boleh dirunding sebelum PRU16;

2. Pendirian jelas mengenai kelayakan 40% hasil bersih di bawah Perkara 112C dan 112D Perlembagaan Persekutuan;

3. Kejelasan perlembagaan berhubung tadbir urus petroleum yang melibatkan Sabah;

4. Komitmen bersama bahawa sokongan persekutuan akan bersyarat kepada kemajuan yang boleh diukur dalam perkara-perkara tersebut.

Tanpa komitmen ini, perbincangan tentang menjadi blok penentu hanya berisiko menjadi penjenamaan politik semata-mata dan bukannya pembaharuan struktur.

Sabah tidak kekurangan kerusi.

Sabah kekurangan kesatuan politik yang boleh dikuatkuasakan.

Jika Sabah mahu berdiri sebagai rakan setara dalam Persekutuan, para pemimpinnya mesti terlebih dahulu menunjukkan kesediaan untuk berunding dari kedudukan kekuatan perlembagaan — bukan kebergantungan politik.

BoPiMaFo menegaskan bahawa daya tawar Borneo adalah nyata.

Namun daya tawar yang tidak digunakan, atau digunakan secara lemah, adalah daya tawar yang diserahkan.

Daniel John Jambun ialah Presiden

Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo)#~Borneo Herald™

Don’t Gamble Away Borneo’s Future Without Unity and Transparency

                            Voon Lee Shan

Borneo Herald 

9.30AM MYT, 1-3-2026

By Voon Lee Shan, Kuching

PARTI Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) demands immediate transparency from the GPS government over its decision to file a suit in the Federal Court to determine the constitutionality of the Petroleum Development Act 1974 and the Continental Shelf Act 1966.

Was the Sabah government consulted?

Was there consensus among Borneo leaders?

Was there a united strategy before declaring legal war against Putrajaya and Petronas?

The people of Sabah and Sarawak deserve answers.

This is not a minor administrative dispute. This is a battle that concerns the ownership, control, and destiny of our petroleum resources — resources that belong to the people of Borneo. The outcome of this legal challenge will shape generations to come.

PBK warns: if this suit fails and the Federal Court upholds both federal laws, what will be the consequences? Will Sarawak and Sabah lose leverage permanently? Will this strengthen federal control over our oil and gas resources for decades? Have the risks been carefully calculated?

A failed constitutional challenge will not just be a political setback — it may cement federal dominance over Borneo’s wealth. Sabahans may question whether Sarawak acted unilaterally. Distrust between the two Borneo states could grow. The people must not be divided because of poor foresight and lack of coordination.

PBK believes any move of this magnitude must be undertaken with:

• Full transparency to the rakyat

• Formal consultation with Sabah

• A united Borneo front

• A long-term legal and political strategy

You do not enter a constitutional war without securing your allies.

PBK maintains its long-standing position that the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) framework must be fundamentally examined. PBK received  many legal opinions from international lawyers  that MA63 is null  and  void ab initio and it could not be used as a basis to constitute Malaysia. If MA63 itself is legally defective, then all federal laws imposed upon Sabah and Sarawak under that framework are open to constitutional challenge. But such a position requires careful, strategic, and united action — not isolated moves that may weaken Borneo’s bargaining power.

We caution GPS:

Do not gamble with the future of our children.

Do not act without Sabah.

Do not risk generations of resource ownership on an uncertain legal strategy.

Borneo’s strength lies in unity — not unilateral action. Sarawak definitely doesn’t belong to GPS alone and GPS could not decide things alone. Had our Legislature been convened to discuss and debate on the matter? Had people of Sarawak in the streets been consulted and their opinions been sought before this legal and political war in the federal court against Petronas and the federal government? 

 

PBK stands firmly with the grassroots who demand dignity, sovereignty, and transparency. The people are watching. History will judge those who act without foresight. Sarawak deserves smart and intelligent leaders - leaders with wisdom and not leaders who take things all on their own without consultation with  people in such an important matter that will affect the life and livelihod of all Sarawakians and Sabahans. 

Enough secrecy. Enough political theatrics.

Show the people the plan — or withdraw the gamble.

Voon Lee Shan is a practicing lawyer and also currently the president of Parti Bumi Kenyalang#~Borneo Herald