{
  "id": 9449583,
  "title": "Warisan VP moots Sabah-S’wak ‘manifesto’ to pursue shared interests",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/warisan-vp-moots-sabah-swak-manifesto-to-pursue-shared-interests",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T23:12:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/09/24/warisan-vp-moots-sabah-s-wak-manifesto-to-pursue-shared-interests"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Warisan vice-president Junz Wong has suggested that the governments of Sabah and Sarawak consider creating a joint manifesto to address their shared interests as part of a potential Borneo bloc. At a forum titled \"Unity in Diversity\" held at HELP University, Wong emphasized the need for close collaboration between the two states, stating that they should be working together \"100%\". Wong noted that there are numerous issues that both states share and that are also crucial for Malaysia's interests, not just those of Sabah and Sarawak. He responded to a question from fellow panelist Larry Sng about whether Sabah would receive a fair share of what was agreed upon in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) in the near future. Wong acknowledged that this would depend on political developments in West Malaysia and Sabah's ability to unite politically and work in tandem with Sarawak. He also suggested that cooperation should extend beyond pursuing individual rights under MA63 and encompass a shared economic direction for the next five years. The concept of a Borneo bloc was first proposed in 2010 when Jeffrey Kitingan of Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku established the United Borneo Front to advocate for the rights of Sabah and Sarawak under MA63. The idea resurfaced following the departure of Sarawak's ruling parties from Barisan Nasional in 2018. Recently, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that the Federal Constitution would be amended to increase Sabah and Sarawak's representation in Parliament in line with MA63. Other unresolved issues include Sabah's 40% net revenue entitlement and Sarawak's demands related to petroleum.",
  "summary": "Junz Wong says the two Bornean states should work hand in hand on shared issues and carve out a common economic direction for the next five years.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Warisan VP moots Sabah-S’wak ‘manifesto’ to pursue shared interests",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/warisan-vp-moots-sabah-swak-manifesto-to-pursue-shared-interests-9450299",
        "published": "2026-09-23T23:12:48.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}