Sabahans must learn from previous mistakes

 

Hj Amdee Sidik

BARISAN NASIONAL can’t form Federal Government after this 13 General Election if they rely on winning Malaya’s seats unless there is miracle. They are now breathing via a support machine from Sabah and Sarawak; plug it out, the red UMNO would turn purple.

Fifty years ago, Sabah and Sarawak were depending on Malaya but now there is a little breathing space, foreseeable to get what we deserve but whether the people of Sabah are serious or a mere aramiti or again only in as far as Sabahans are sober, if they aren’t then more pilaks and more Mykads distribution on the offing designed for underserved holders - this time, the end of Sabah’s dream of autonomy.

Some Sabahans still think that things go swinging like olden days. Let's hope the younger group can help reach out to those who think UMNO is the party of God that never dies.

Let us be reminded there is no other better time to change the government than today, meaning a vote today is many times its worth because it helps to kick out UMNO after the GE13; if people in Malaya want so badly to bury UMNO, why are Sabahans still dreaming to die with it?

But let also thank the Internet for its role, without it we wouldn’t get as far as this in imparting information. Big hiccups are still there - National Media - TV, Astro alike are mouthpieces of UMNO to confuse people. I say confuse as that’s the most the government’s media can do as they are no longer considered a reliable information provider.

Let's divert a bit - Anwar Ibrahim made a grand mistake immediately after the 2008 General Election to many of us, even without the so called project of buying candidates to jump ship, which was so ridiculous an idea, in the end turned out a mockery to honourable profession, when it is only a matter of buying time to fight against BN.

Next, let ponder out this intricacy of politics, there is one thing we must learn quickly otherwise we may miss the chance.

As of now, every leader is prone to making promises but remember how Malaysia was formed and how our forefathers intended to mean what they agreed, and what are the results today?

To put it simply, once these people get what they want, what guarantee is there that they don’t forget what they promised?

I agree to support the fight – my fight is for the people and my State first. The rest say you what may.

If the above is (I’m) still roaming around the bush, I would say this, for Sabah - there is no better person than Sabah people to look after Sabah. We have made it very clear we support the PR de facto leader to become Prime Minister. Let the PR group handle the Federal Government, we support them to conquer Putrajaya but let Sabah’s politicians and Sabah local political parties handle Sabah as what Kelantense to Kelantan or Pinangites to Penang except, they are using national opposition political parties as vehicles.

Don’t tell me Sabahan aren’t capable of governing the State. We need no push button from federal leaders to handle autonomy issues as this was promised in the agreement made out in 1963.

Federal matters are federal, whilst states are state; reinstate Sabah’s rights, that is all we ask for.

Some of you may be thinking, by pinpointing to one Sabah’s experience, that is none other than the era of the PBS government, where Federal leaders created all sorts of trouble to paralyse the PBS government almost in every conceivable way - for example, court cases after court cases and leaders were detained under ISA. This was a demonstration on the street of Kota Kinabalu where our State mosque was painted and crucified to make it look like it was created by non-Muslims when the real culprits were the Muslim leaders themselves. Sabah had its own style of living harmoniously long before the Korean Gangnam style was even created, so to speak.

A few things I must also say now, the PBS President was naive, and insincere or perhaps big headed in a wrong way among others.

The PBS Government was branded as a Christian Government, Malay leaders were allergic to this and still are, an example is the use of the word ALLAH today. Insincere in the way they treated the Muslims - no intellectual Muslim were recruited into the party machinery, if any a mere window dressing. Other examples, the appointments of important departmental heads in the government and how State scholarship was distributed among others - that what people said in that days - those were the mistakes.

Should PBS be partnered with USNO, that would make Kuala Lumpur think twice before they wallop Sabah’s leaders and the progress of divide and rule would at least be hindered.

The world wasn’t as flat as today (Thomas Freidman) and spotlights are everywhere. If for instance Sabah is to be punished for opposing the Federal government and the world is watching more closely than ever, this would be a ready weapon if ever Sabahans and Sabah leaders are victimised.

Considering all these, let not be belittle Sabahans - Sabah local political parties are just as capable as anyone else to administer the State.

Throw away the Tidak Boleh mentality, which was handed down by the British to Malayan leaders and to me only an idiot would keep it.

Last but not least, assuming PR Government does this to Sabah Government in the future, they too will have a problem.

Hj Amdee Sidik is Citizen Journalist Malaysia, Deputy President of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) & Director of Progressive Institute of Public Policy Analysis.