The Malaya Versus Malaysia Argument

Did Sabah and Sarawak have any choice? No! Were Sabah and Sarawak told “you can choose whether to become the Independent Republic of Sabah and the Independent Republic of Sarawak or you can choose to join Malaya to form Malaysia”? No!

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Joe Samad wrote a thought-provoking article titled Dignity, Respect And The ‘Social Contract’ (READ HERE), which basically says Sabah and Sarawak are not bound by any agreement made when the Federation of Malaya was formed in 1948 and independence was granted in 1957 because Sabah and Sarawak were not a party to any arrangement made before Malaysia was formed in 1963.

That has been the standard argument that the anti-Malaya or anti-Semenanjung activists use to say that Malaya is Malaya and Malaysia is Malaysia and Malaysia is not an extension of Malaya. That means whatever was agreed during the formation of Malaya in 1948, or during the independence of Malaya in 1957, does not bind Malaysia — in other words, does not bind Sabah and Sarawak.

The American Revolutionary War between 1775 and 1783 — or the American War of Independence (depending on whose side you are on) — was a war between Great Britain and its thirteen colonies — yes, 13 colonies — which declared independence from Britain in July 1776. These 13 colonies were New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

The original 13 states of the United States of America in July 1787

In December 1787, Delaware become the 14th state, and over the next 172 years till August 1959, 36 more states joined the United States of America — with Hawaii, the last, following Alaska earlier that year.

But the American “social contract”, also known as “The Constitution of the United States”, signed by the 13 states on 17th September 1787 binds all 50 states — even though 37 of those 50 states joined America later over a period of 172 years.

Texas, Hawaii, California or Alaska cannot dispute the Constitution and say that they were never a party to that “social contract” made by the original 13 American states almost 232 years ago. In fact, the real “social contract” was the meeting, arguments, quarrels and debates they had to discuss the drafting of the Constitution in 1787.

There are those who insist you cannot use America as the example to argue your case regarding Malaya versus Malaysia. And why not? Is it just because The United States of America, which was formed in 1787, never changed its name over 172 years till 1959 when the 13 states grew to 50?

Okay, so if Persekutuan Tanah Melayu (or the Federation of Malaya), which was formed in 1948, is still called Persekutuan Tanah Melayu until today, would that mean Sabah and Sarawak have no points to argue?

The “separatists” say Sabah and Sarawak chose (at their own free will) to join Malaya to form Malaysia — so you cannot use the United States of America as the example.

Were Sabah and Sarawak given a choice on whether to join Malaya to form Malaysia or become independent republics?

First of all, Sabah and Sarawak did not join Malaya to form Malaysia. Sabah and Sarawak were offered or given to Malaya to form Malaysia. The British gave Sabah and Sarawak to Malaya to prevent them falling into the hands of Indonesia and Philippines if they had been given independence.

Secondly, not all 50 American states joined the United States of America voluntarily (just like in the case of Sabah and Sarawak). Hence the issue of America and Malaysia is the same. And the same regarding Scotland as well (which is why the Scots sama perangai with Sabahans and Sarawakians).

Did Sabah and Sarawak have any choice? No! Were Sabah and Sarawak told “you can choose whether to become the Independent Republic of Sabah and the Independent Republic of Sarawak or you can choose to join Malaya to form Malaysia”? No!

The issue of MA63 and the special privileges (or rights) Sabah and Sarawak were given, which other states in the Federation of Malaya were not given, is another matter. That does not change the fact that Sabah and Sarawak were not given an option whether to join Malaya to form Malaysia or to become the Independent Republic of Sabah and the Independent Republic of Sarawak.