Make equal status a reality with autonomy, more grants

Sad to say, Malaysia was never meant to be. We have to admit that what Sabah (North Borneo) and Sarawak leaders had envisioned and were promised 58 years ago has slowly but surely been whittled away in the peninsula-dominated politics of money, race and religion.

The Borneo states have long fought for equal status as signatories of the Malaysia agreement 1963. Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin acknowledges the need to amend Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution to satisfy Sabah and Sarawak’s request, but it has conditions attached.

Muhyiddin said it can only be done if Perikatan Nasional wins big by more than a two-third majority in Parliament. In plain language, you scratch my back first and I’ll scratch yours. Whatever the bait, Sabah and Sarawak is in a catch-22 situation – a paradoxical situation from which an individual cannot escape because of contradictory rules or limitations.

The recognition of equal partners calls for greater development expenditures and state government autonomy, including control over its own oil resources. Amending article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution and calling it wilayahs (territories) or whatever, without autonomy and additional development funds is purely cosmetic. It’s hard to believe that our present leaders are falling for the same trap, time and time again.

What does wilayah really mean? Is it constitutional? What does a change of name bring to Sabah and Sarawak? More autonomy or funds? Or is it to lull Sabah and Sarawak leaders into slumber before the elections. Even Celcom claims Sabah and Sarawak as theirs going by their advertisements showcasing “Ini Wilayah Celcom”; and they have the whole of Malaysia as their territory.

The Malaysian dream

The Borneo states want the Malaysian dream where people live harmoniously, respecting the diversity in culture, customs and religion, a country of great economic success and respected by other nations.

Simple as it sounds, the peninsula-dominated politics, using race and religion for short-term gain is destroying that dream.

While Sabah and Sarawak were promised a secular state and freedom of religion, certain peninsula parties are pushing for a regimented Muslim state without any care of the consequences to the economy and well-being of the nation.

It’s hard to fathom what kind of Islamic nation these people want when countries like Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern nations are loosening up their archaic laws and opening their country to more democratic reforms.

Peninsula parties and their destructive mentality

Unlike Sabah, Sarawak chief minister Abang Johari Openg, who is also Gabungan Parti Sarawak chairman, has refused Umno’s participation in Sarawak. He said Umno parliamentarians would harp on religious issues which he felt was a personal matter between a person and God. “They don’t know our culture. In Sarawak, we coexist. We will not allow them to come into Sarawak, they are extreme.”

It’s the same with PAS, they are obsessed in turning Malaysia into an Islamic state with their brand of Islam, where heavy punishments are meted out to keep the population in a straight line. Heavy punishments have never been a deterrent judging by the movement control order violations by ministers, politicians and citizens.

Whether we like it or not, peninsula parties have already established themselves in Sabah and Sarawak. DAP and PKR are entrenched in both states, and Umno in Sabah. Sabah was even kind to PAS and gave them a seat without contesting.

Parliamentary representation

When Malaysia was formed in 1963, Malaya held two-thirds of the seats with one-third held by Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore (Malaya 104, Singapore 15, Sabah 16 and Sarawak 24).

When Singapore left the federation, its 15 parliamentary seats were not allocated to Sabah and Sarawak. Sabah with 25 members of Parliament and Sarawak with 31, make up just 25% of the 222-member Parliament. This has caused gross under-representation as the two Borneo states cover a bigger amount of real estate than Peninsular Malaysia.

A representation of more than one-third in the House from Sabah and Sarawak can level the playing field. This would ensure that any new amendment to the constitution which has an impact on the Borneo states could only be passed with the full support of Sabah and Sarawak representatives.

Similarly, the Borneo states can also deny the passing of any new law or amendment which is not in their favour.

That would mean another 19 seats have to be created for East Malaysia in Parliament to achieve one-third representation.

Options on the table

We certainly don’t need another bloated MA63 committee with nothing credible to show. The 21-points negotiated by Sabah and Sarawak chief ministers are well known. As reported, 17-points have been agreed upon when Pakatan Harapan were in government and can be implemented immediately.

Enough time has been given to resolve the remaining four. Instead, all these agreements and ongoing negotiations are now shrouded by the Official Secrets Act. After 58 years, the government dominated by peninsula politics needs to be transparent as to where to place Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia.

The secessionist view is real. Political leaders and non-governmental organisations are clamoring for exit if the federal government fails to deliver its promises. While secession is not wise due to many factors like regional geopolitics and the Philippines claim over Sabah still alive, the Borneo states and the federal government have to enter a new tripartite agreement to quell the rising anti-sentiments to anything Malaya.

Putting Sabah and Sarawak as “wilayah” is not the solution. Cosmetic surgery is only a short-term solution. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.