JOHOR PRINCE IS RIGHT, ADENAN IS WRONG: SARAWAK CAN DO WITHOUT THE 'MESS' FROM MALAYA

One of the things pivotal to the game of politics and quite evidently seen in our beautiful nation is the game called distractions.

We see it all the time especially when there is a significant issue in our country. Whether it’s the release of a report confirming the mismanagement of funds in the government, or even when there is breaking news of a financial scandal crippling our economy, there always seem to appear a counter news story stealing the limelight from the main issue.

These issues of course tend to be “petty” issues of race or religion, or any issue that grips the sentiment of the people and distract them from the “bigger” picture affecting the greater population.

Distractions can come in any form. The biggest misconception we may have is that distractions must be negative or “petty” in nature, but actually whatever the issue, bad or good that can deflect our attention from the matter at hand, can be considered a distraction.

A candy that distracts a child is not considered negative in nature. It is sweet, it is good, but since it distracts him from something important, it is therefore considered not beneficial.

Applying that concept, could it be that all the “good” things happening in Sarawak, all the sweet and politically right words coming out of Adenan’s mouth or dare I say, the talks of the pursuit of greater autonomy is a mere distraction from not only their failings in the state for the past 50 years, but also their continuous unequivocal support for the very regime that is one of, if not major cause of the problems we are facing in our nation?

With all the national headlines now dominated by multiple financial scandals involving Najib and the BN government, Sarawak leaders seem to go on overdrive to distance themselves from the mess in Malaya by painting a picture that the state is somewhat separated and different from Malaya, and implying what happens there doesn’t affect us.

Adenan recently made a speech at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association to ignore the “lain-lain” category in official federal government forms.

It is a positive move, and a welcome form of civil disobedience, but we cannot deny that it is not legally binding especially at the national level and thus affects us.

He could have very well made the announcement as an attempt to show how we are “different”, isolate us from the west and show we can make decision on our own. However, the fact is, such a policy is still in place, and this national policy was in fact put in place by the very regime that Adenan supports unequivocally.

I also recently attended a religious fundraiser in Kuching where Senior Minister James Masing was present. He gave a speech trying to paint a picture on how different we are, distancing ourselves from the racial and religious fiasco happening in Malaya and one example he gave is how we in Sarawak can freely use the word “Allah” compared to our counterparts in Malaya.

However, as much as we want to believe what he said, the fact is the law of the land is that we, non-Muslims cannot use the word “Allah”. All it takes is for someone to take a non-Muslim publication with the word “Allah” in Sarawak and lodge a police report.

Since it was a decision by the Federal Court, it is the law of the land, and thus binding to our local courts, no matter how much our politicians say it doesn’t affect us.

Recently also, SUPP Kuching branch leader Lily Yong has called for a public petition to urge the government to exempt Sarawak from GST.

She further claimed that only after looking at the response of the petition, will they decide what they will do next. I actually consider this move somewhat laughable.

For one, dare I say that the majority, if not all of us Sarawakians are heavily affected and feel the pinch because of GST. It is then pointless that SUPP still needs a petition to find out the response on the ground.

However, what I consider most laughable is their assumption and believe that they can isolate our state from being affected by a national policy (GST). That is downright misleading and also hypocritical, since they were the very ones that voted in the policy in Parliament since they are part of the current ruling government.

The calls for greater autonomy is seemingly the greatest sentiment on the ground right now. We are excited by the prospect of having greater power for self-governance and also a greater say in the future of the state.

However the timing of these calls, could very well be a cleverly conceive plan to divert us from the failings of the government and mismanagement of our resources. It could very well be a distraction in the guise of autonomy.

The economy is not in an optimum state, investors are starting to pull out due to political instability amidst multiple financial scandals involving our national leaders and thus also causing our national currency to slowly lose its value.

Autonomy is great, but what is the point of greater autonomy if the people here are still struggling to make ends meet due to the ailing national economy?

What the point of autonomy when our national currency is plummeting which directly affects trading and also cause the hike in prices of commodities?

What is the point of all the talks of autonomy, when the state government still supports the very regime that took away those powers from us in the first place?

Don’t get me wrong. I am all for the fight for greater autonomy and the right to self-govern, but in fighting for greater autonomy, let us not be partially blinded to the effects from Malaya.

As much as local politicians may try to distance ourselves from Malaya and say it is different here in Bumi Kenyalang, let us not be naïve too and pretend that what goes on there, the good and the bad, does not affect us.

I do believe with all my heart that Sarawak is different from Malaya and am proud of that fact especially how we live peacefully with one another of different race and creed.

This fact should instead empower us, rather than distract us, to push us to think bigger, rather than try to isolate ourselves and pretend that we are not susceptible to the effects of national turmoil.

We actually stand at the pendulum as kingmakers to bring a change, to have greater impact on the national setting, so let’s keep our focus on that bigger picture.

The sweet words of Adenan may be heavily adored, but the reality of national turmoil affecting us cannot be ignored. - http://theantdaily.com/