Malaysia’s growing nationalism renews Sarawak’s quest for autonomy to become a ‘state within a state’

Even a pay cut to work in the civil service in his home state of Sarawak could not deter Robin Wong from leaving the peninsula to return to his roots, where renewed political and economic clout is now matched by a determination to resist the rise of Malaysia’s Islamist hardliners.

Two years on, the 38-year-old has no regrets about coming home to the Malaysian portion of Borneo.

“I just felt it was time to go back home, and I can at least do my part in helping develop my home state,” said Wong.

But in recent years, Sarawak’s government has been pulling the emotional strings of Sarawakians, who have travelled far and wide in search of work to return home to help drive an ambitious plan towards full autonomy and economic self-sufficiency.

As a kingmaker, Sarawak has established a firm foundation to push for federal recognition of the rights of Malaysia’s two Borneo states under a 1963 treaty that united them with Malaya and then-partners Singapore to form the federation of Malaysia.

The ultimate goal is the restoration of self-governance for both Sarawak and Sabah as laid out under the so-called Malaysia Agreement, which covers healthcare, education and management of the abundant natural resources found in the two states.

“Sarawak is trying to become a fully functioning state within the federation … a state within a state,” said James Chin, a professor of Asian studies with the University of Tasmania.

It has already seen some success in its push for autonomy, having negotiated with national energy giant Petronas for a higher revenue share of oil and gas produced in the state, and more active management of onshore oil and gas resources through its state-owned energy firm Petros.

Earlier this year, Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg