SABAH RICHES, BAJAU’S POOREST?

Dear Editor,

THE latest political development after Thailand come under peace, I seem interested to overseer the crucial situation in the West Malaysia, especially ‘Bersih’ Rally schedule to be held at 2.00 pm at Merdeka Stadium, today.

As a Malaysian citizen, I still wonder on ‘Bersih’ 8 Points demand from SPR, even though with hidden political agenda, merely absurd. Since Independent on September 16, 1963, the Sabahan Bajau remains under the hardcore poor, chart among diverse community, even the Suluk sub-ethnic as proclaimed by the World Bank recently!

The clandestine does arise among Sabahan’s is where Sabah state treasury gone? Where they flow out? And why the Sabahan Bajau status remains the same as 1970?

We look deep further to the previous history as Sabah political chronology. Sabah under rules by USNO, then by Berjaya and PBS before BN reign into power after few YB’s hoping to BN after 1994 election.

During USNO and BERJAYA reign era, all native are the beneficial owner of 30 % land equity in Sabah to make sure their interest protected under the land law; especialy in rural area, riparian or sea side to preserved their culture and being taken care by both parties.

All developer must fulfilled the strict procedure before can develop their stakeholder land. Thus there are many empty lands in Sabah at that time, but most of indigenous people engaged with the logging activities; some of them eventually become riches as OKK (Orang Kaya Kaya) but the Native still pursue their study at Foreign and local Universities with full scholarship back by Sabah Government or Yayasan Sabah (Sabah Foundation).

They are not keen or being interested to having a possession a native land even the application ‘just a piece of cake’ on that time; wasn’t a bureaucracy red tape. During the BERJAYA era, all the native land including the Bajau settlement at the sea side and island was established as ‘native land’ and enacted under Native Land Act by the government.

Quite sadness, the ‘open door policy’ being introduced to the outside investors especially from West Malaysia upon native land. 119,600 hectares (295,412 acres) of native land in Umas Umas Tawau and Tungku, Lahad Datu are undertaken by Felda Holding which is administering by federal government; aiming for eradication poverty level and re-structure the Sabahan community based on New Economic Policy (DEB- Dasar Ekonomi Baru) and Green Book Policy (Dasar Buku Hijau).

During the PBS trounce, the ‘open door policy’ getting worst when the state government abolished the 30 percent of land natives equity rights. It is rose many of outside investor come to Sabah to grab the chance into land equity.

After BN took over Sabah in 1994, the Sabah State revenue as petroleum, gasses, taxes etc, existence of differentiate market price of goods and cars and participation Sabahan in teaching sectors has been reformed 360 degree.

95 percent of the petroleum oil revenue hand over to the Federal Government. The aims of Felda Holding is to eradicate the hardcore poor people in Sabah is clearly not achieve after Felda change their policy. The settlers in Felda plantation still under poverty level by mountain debt on them.

During the former Chief Minister, Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat ruling, the government enhance to denying the Sabahan Bajau right after they expelled from their natives land and labeled them as squatters! Who they are? They are majority voters in Sabah and also Malaysian citizen! How could the Sabahan Bajau’s leader fearness nodded to the government actions in that time?

Best Regards,

THE LAND OF TAPIOCA

- Sabahkini