Are Sarawakians now ‘illegal immigrants’?

Johor General Hospital’s refusal to treat a Sarawakian student because she was “not Johorean” has thrown up questions

KUCHING: An allegation that the Johor General Hospital had turned away a Sarawakian purportedly because she was “not Johorean” has triggered alarm among the community’s 250,000 citizens working in the southern Peninsular Malaysia state.

Postings on Facebook following activist Wan Zain Syed Mokthar’s disclosure of the incident involving a female student from Sibu has been nothing short of bitter.

Some netizens from Sarawak identified the action by the hospital as a sign that the Johor authorities considered Sarawakians as ‘illegal immigrants’.

Others blamed it on the weak national education system where even Malaysians “failed to know where Sarawak and Sabah are”.

“To deny a Sarawakian admission and treatment in any public hospital in Malaysia (is) tantamount to equating her to an illegal immigrant , an alien in her own country – a crying shame indeed,” commented user Daniel Matthew.

Another user, Raja Merum,  said: “What happened in Johor reflects how Malaya really treats Sarawakians”.

Many were upset over the hospital’s discriminative actions. There are some 250,000 Sarawakians residing in Johor.

On Sunday Wan Zain reportedly said that a female student, Norhaironiza Hasim, who was involved in an accident was sent to JGH for treatment but was denied admission by the hospital.

Wan Zain said JGH had refused to admit Norhainoriza “ because the victim was not a Johorean, although the patient needed medical attention due to a bone fracture impacted from the accident.”

According to Wan Zain,  Norhaironiza was eventually referred to Muar General Hospital where she underwent an operation there, which she paid for herself.  She has since been transferred to Sibu Hospital for further treatment.

He said what was baffling was the fact that despite Norhaironiza’s college confirming her status as its student from Sarawak, JGH still refused to receive her as a patient.

“It is weird that a Malaysian citizen was refused admission to receive medical treatment at a government hospital just  because she originated from  Sarawak,” Wan Zain said.

Sarawakians warned

User Morshidi Abdul Rahman, who founded Sarawak Sovereignty Movement (SSM), had a rationale for puzzled Wan  Zain.

He said it was very likely that the emergency personnel on duty were “foreign-born Malaysians who did not learn history or geography in school” and as such were ignorant of Sabah and Sarawak’s connection with Peninsular Malaysia.

Concurring with Morshidi,  Borneo Wiki said: “Thanks to Umno’s useless education system, Malayans are clueless about their two ‘colonies’ in Borneo”.

“The treatment of Sabah and Sarawak people is one of a colonial mentality where they view us as still living on trees and backward. We cannot expect anything better.” .

Meanwhile another user Jay Chua urged Sarawakians in Johor to be wary.

He pointed out that his uncle who was staying in Johor Baru often complained about such discrimination and that Sarawakians were always being bullied.

Another user who shared Chua’s view also urged Sarawakians “in Johor and other places in Malaysia” to be prepared for worsening relations.

“I don’t think this will be the first and the last. So our Sarawakians in Johor and other places in Malaya, just be ready. It’s only the beginning,” noted user Dah-Lim Hj Mungkil.

Meanwhile Sarawakian netizens are mulling over what action they should take in relation to the issue.

While some have suggested protests be held over the treatment of Sarawakians in Johor, others are talking about making police reports.

There was also a call for the Health Ministry to conduct a thorough investigation into why Norhaironiza was denied treatment at the Johor General Hospital.