Ex-Sabah Law Society Chief: Zaid’s Remarks Show Ignorance of Federation’s Foundations

25 November 2025

KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah Law Society (SLS) President Datuk Roger Chin has issued a strong rebuke of Datuk Zaid Ibrahim’s recent remarks on Sabah, Sarawak and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), describing them as evidence of a fundamental misunderstanding of how the Malaysian federation was formed.

In a statement, Chin said Zaid’s remarks — calling Sabah and Sarawak as “burdens”, dismissing MA63 as “useless”, and joking about “just letting them be independent” do not reflect honesty but instead reveal the clearest indication that he no longer understands the very federation he once served.

“Sabah and Sarawak are not Malaya’s resource colonies, not mines to be emptied and then discarded when the bill comes due.

“Malaysia exists because these two territories agreed to MA63,” he said.

He stressed that without MA63, the federation would not have come into existence, and any move to cast aside the agreement would weaken the very foundation of Malaysia, including the Malaya that Zaid claims to be defending.

Chin further noted that if a Sabahan or Sarawakian had made similar statements, they would likely be questioned for secessionist remarks, adding that a former minister should not enjoy immunity for uttering the same.

Commenting on the claim that honouring the 40 per cent revenue entitlement would “bankrupt Malaysia”, Chin said such a suggestion was not a justification to disregard MA63 but an admission of how severely underpaid Sabah and Sarawak have been for the past five decades.

“There is no courage in such remarks, only ignorance amplified by a microphone, which further reinforces why MA63 remains non-negotiable,” he said.

Chin added that it was disappointing to see Zaid, once known for advocating integrity, resorting to cheap and irresponsible rhetoric.