Sabah and Sarawak not to be treated as Malay States

Taken from Malaysian Insider By Tunku Aziz

NOV 15 — By their very nature, we cannot escape the fact that no matter where in the world, federal arrangements will lead sooner or later to ugly, acrimonious, and bitter controversies and confrontations.

Sabah and sarawak complained of unequal partnership

The history of federations is littered with political stillbirths and abortions, and the Malaysian federation is beginning to show cracks with Kelantan, on at least two occasions, expressing unhappiness over the handling of oil revenues by the central government, and now Sabah, to a less extent Sarawak, complaining about not getting a fair crack of the whip in what they see as a hopelessly unequal partnership.

No Malaysia – without Sabah and Sarawak

Sabah and Sarawak are the two survivors of the countries, (Singapore opted out after two years) that agreed to join Malaya to create a new country called Malaysia based largely on the Federation of Malaya constitutional model. Federation in the Malaysian context is a myth. We are a unitary state and governed as such from Kuala Lumpur with no pretence that it is otherwise. Without the entry of Sabah and Sarawak, agreeing to come in and lending their considerable weight to the Malaysia concept, there would have been no Malaysia to begin with.

Singapore saw very quickly that it was going to be treated no better than any of the Malay States in the Federation of Malaya and made a hasty exit. It has never looked back. Sabah and Sarawak did not at their then stage of development appreciate what they had got themselves into.

Sabah and Sarawak in political limbo

Today, in these two countries, there is a heightened awareness of the distortions and contradictions in the federal arrangements that leave Sabah and Sarawak, the second and third legs of the Malaysian body politic in a limbo.

Sabah and Sarawak are not subservient in the tripartite

Their position cannot by any stretch of the imagination be regarded as in any way subservient to the Malay States collectively known as Malaya or sometimes referred to as Peninsular Malaysia. Malaysia is in effect a tripartite arrangement that should confer equality of treatment. But in reality, the three component parties are not in all respects. Sabah and Sarawak deserve better.

Urgent need to recognise the importance of Sabah and Sarawak

This leads me to a consideration of the urgent need to recognise the importance of Sabah and Sarawak in the overall scheme of things by giving them their rightful place as equal partners and be treated as such. I repeat that they are not Malay states. They have their own proud traditions and identities and resent being exploited by Malaya-based political parties looking to bolster their chances of forming the federal government.

Sabahans and Sarawakians have attained a level of social and political development when they may reasonably expect to play a bigger and more meaningful role in their countries’ affairs.

Let Sabah and Sarawak develop on their own

They have benefited from their association with us, and we should be happy to let them develop on their own. They must be given a bigger voice in the running not only their countries, but also Malaysia as a whole. There is no place for overbearing condescension over people who more than four decades ago were persuaded against their better judgement to throw in their lot with a political arrangement they did not fully understand.

Let us revisit the constitutional arrangements – be fair

I cannot see these two countries not flexing their muscle and demanding a more just and equitable role for themselves consistent with their enhanced level of political maturity. It is better to be proactive in defusing their sense of injustice before matters go out of hand. We need to revisit the constitutional arrangements we have with Sabah and Sarawak and for this purpose a group of experts from Sabah and Sarawak, together with those representing the Government of Malaysia be appointed.

Sabah and Sarawak must see their true worth

I believe there is still a great deal of goodwill for Malaysia, but it has to be a new Malaysia in which Sabah and Sarawak can see themselves playing a bigger role commensurate with their true worth and value as important lynchpins in the whole mechanics for sustainable growth of the nation.

We must meet Sabah and Sarawak aspiration or we better let them go

If we cannot meet the legitimate aspirations of these countries, then we should let them go free if this is what they really want. I know the Malaysian Constitution does not allow states to secede from the federation, but the thing here is that if they want to part company and with our approval, why not? They might become tomorrow’s Singapore, who knows.

Conclusion: Sabah and Sarawak not to be treated as Malay States

I have throughout this piece referred to Sabah and Sarawak as countries by way of emphasising their distinctive character. They are not to be treated as Malay states.

We hope it will not come to this, but we ignore their cries in the wilderness at our peril. Let it not be said that it is a case of too little, too late. — mysinchew

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November 18, 2009 · Filed Under Politic

Comments

9 Responses to “Sabah and Sarawak not to be treated as Malay States”

gerabusengkiong on November 18th, 2009 11:13 pm

I like the way the writer refers to Sabah and Sarawak as “countries” instead of “states”. Anyway, that’s exactly how many if not most “Orang Malaya” percieve us to be…that we are from other foreign countries. For those who have often been to Malaya, you’d certainly be familiar with these words:”Brapa lama sudah sampai kat Malaysia?” or “Ini kali pertama datang kat Malaysia ke?” They make it sound as if we who are fom Sarawak and Sabah are not Malaysians but citizens of “colonised” countries. Even after 46 years that Sabah and Sarawak had formed Malaysia with Malaya, the Malayans still see us as aliens,and in spite of the fact that they have bled our rich natural resources dry all these years, so that the people in the poorer states in Malaya can enjoy better infrastructure than the “crumbs” that they throw down at Sabah and Sarawak. How many percent of the rural populations that have enjoyed the basic amenities like piped water and electricity eversince the formation of Malaysia 46 years ago? No wonder the Malayans looked down on us! They think that we are so backward, especially the the ruaral dwellers who are mostly Dayaks. The Malayans called us “savages” who live on trees and still wearing “cawats”. It’s really disgusting when you think of how low fellow Malaysians percieve their own kind!
PE on November 19th, 2009 1:31 am

I am yet to hear what the DL has to say on these issue. Will comment later.
Sabah and Sarawak not to be treated as Malay States : Dr. John … | Malay Today on November 19th, 2009 3:47 am

[...] original here: Sabah and Sarawak not to be treated as Malay States : Dr. John … Share and [...]
Pengayau on November 19th, 2009 4:55 am

As a matter of fact:

1.We are an EQUAL PARTNER

2.We are not one of the States in Malaysia

3.We had never ever join Federation Of Malaysia

4.We together with Malaya to form the Federation Of Malaysia

Lembau ka bejaku mayuh agi..kitai diatu alai urang beambik ulih ke pengawa,sedak,rampang,tekih,laluh iya baru pulai ngagai kitai Sarawak.5 percent Oil Royalty pengudah 46 Taun alu ndai kala di revised?1 percent tama ngagai Kucik Taib…
Sempurai on November 19th, 2009 7:50 am

Only after the 2008 general election, UMNO and its BN partners in West Malaysia realized that they could still in power because of these two East Malaysia states. Now BN`s leaders including Najib consider Sabah and Sarawak are their ATM. They are all out at all cost to tame these two states. BUT, whether they are going to treat the indigenous peoples of these two sates as they treat the Malays in West Malaysia?
Sempurai on November 19th, 2009 7:53 am

Only after the 2008 general election, UMNO and its BN partners in West Malaysia realized that they could still in power because of these two East Malaysia states. Now BN`s leaders including Najib consider Sabah and Sarawak are their ATM. They are all out at all cost to tame these two states. BUT, whether they are going to treat the indigenous peoples of these two sates in the same way as they are treating the Malays in West Malaysia?
Kerani Opis Tanah on November 19th, 2009 12:11 pm

I have nothing much to say but i know and certain that people or dayak still loved the present BN government.

This in particular because they really depend on the present BN government.

And for only one reason also the BN never betray their freindship of LOYALTY to the dayak. Most of their policies FAVOUR the dayak especially the interior ones!

I m quite sure also that the dayak will still cast the vote at the dacing candidates in the next general election come 2010.

Very sorry to the DB, it is just like “OLD HABIT DIE HARD” that is how i see majority dayaks LOYALTY to the Barisan National.
raja merom on November 20th, 2009 7:39 pm

Setuju amat aku enggau penemu unggal KOT nya. Nya meh leboh program subur ke meri kupon beras pecuma ngagai orang ke seranta mandang ka pemanah perintah deka meri beras pecuma ngagi orang ke seranta.

Nyau sampal bala iban, laut, chantung ke diau ba rumah panjai, pesisir enggau di pasar bela ngisi pom magang. Pom pan nyau enda cukup ketegal kelalu maioh orang ke agi seranta.

Bah, kati ko nya agi maioh amat ga bala orang ke agi seranta deh. Enti indai belusnya endang patut di tulong laban nadai laki nupi. Enti bala ke agi regas nya minta beras pecuma endang enda patut ba penemu aku.
PE on November 20th, 2009 8:38 pm

Bala maioh, ngarap ke sida ke beberi ke beras ngagai bala ke nerima nya anang tak ngudah ke orang ke nerima. Enti bansa tauka quality beras nya tak kelalu jai ngarap ke sida ke meri nya anang ngaggap orang ke nerima nya bala jelu mayas bala jelu rasong. Enti amat deka meri beri lah beras ke bisi quality beras ke manah lalu ukai beras ke udah disimpan betaun taun lalu enda laku dijual. Anang ngudah ke bala kitai ke nerima. Tak beri sama baka ke diempa sida YDKSHI tau bansa ke diempa Paramount leader kita nya DL.