I read with interest the interview with Dato’ Peter Minos in the Borneo Post (26/9/18). It seems there is some concern, even apprehension of the possible expansion of the PH coalition parties in the state. Is this a valid concern? The PKR representative in Miri talked about the PKR leading the capture of Petra Jaya while the Kuching DAP representative talked about the introduction of a new political culture in the state. They seem to be very confident. Let us examine whether there is indeed cause for concern.
The PH coalition is a hasty marriage of convenience of political nemesis to unseat the BN government, led by UMNO. Will this union last? It seems there are doubts. The DAP is a liability to the PH as it is viewed with distrust, if not outright rejection, by a large section of the Malay populace, fearful of Chinese dominance in the government. The PKR is a divided house, between the Azmin Ali and Rafizi Ramli groups. Both are in hyper drive to prove loyalty to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar himself is a controversial figure, in terms of his past records and ability to helm the government. The PM is said to favour Azmin Ali in place of Anwar. This may well cause the PKR to defect and join a very possible UMNO-PAS tie-up. Pribumi, the PM’s party is a minnow in the coalition. Additionally, there is a lot of concern about the health and advanced age of the PM. Without the PM, the Pribumi may easily be dislodged. Amanah, likewise, does not exercise much clout in the coalition. Based on this scenario, the future and stability of the PH is suspect.
The second subject matter is over the issue of the KL-centred or West Malaysia bias of the Federal Government. Since the birth of Malaysia, the Federal Government has steadily encroached into the rights and powers of the two Borneo States. Infrastructure and social development in West Malaysia far outstrip those in Sabah and Sarawak.
Housing, super highways, supply of water and electricity, health and educational facilities are far better in West Malaysia than in the two States. This in part is largely because the policy makers, the top civil servants in the Federation, are practically the preserve of officers from West Malaysia. Money used to finance this development comes largely from the oil and gas revenue from Sabah and Sarawak.
Vide the Petroleum Development Act 1974, the rights of Sabah and Sarawak over oil and gas was taken over by Petronas and only a paltry sum has been allocated for the development of the two states. Eventually, the territories of Sabah and Sarawak were reduced when their territorial waters were re-delineated and Sabah and Sarawak were effectively minimised to member states, like any of the states in West Malaysia, instead of being equal partners to Malaya as originally described in the Malaysia Agreement 1963. A blatant breach of the MA63!
Will this KL-centred bias continue under the PH government? If we study the pronouncements of the Prime Minister during the Malaysia Day celebrations in Kota Kinabalu, the PM talked about reinstating the equal status of the three components, only after MA63 is reviewed. On the issue of the 20% royalty over oil and gas production, (as opposed to profit) this he said cannot be acceded to at the cost of incurring losses to Petronas.
It is clear therefore, the provision of MA63 will not be reinstated in full and that the KL-centred stand will not change. The argument of the PM is that national expenditure must be tied to population ratio. As he puts it, “return on investment”. This is the reason, the smoking gun evidence, that the KL-centred policy is here to stay.
The sensitivities of the people of Sabah and Sarawak of course do not escape the attention of the PM, indeed a senior statesman of great repute and stature. However, his power base is in the Federal Government. He cannot afford to lose the support of the eleven states in West Malaysia. His own political clout is also fragile in that his party, the Pribumi, has only 13 seats in the 122 strong coalition. There is an urgent and pressing need for him to expand his power base.
In this regard, he cannot expand his party to Sabah, as the Warisan Sabah, a PH-friendly grouping, has no choice but to sing the “Sabah for Sabahan” tune because of the strong sentiment in Sabah against Malaya-based political parties. This leaves the shores of Sarawak open to the onslaught by political parties from West Malaysia.
Pribumi boasts of over 30,000 members in Sarawak and the PM may launch it in November. Given the deep-seated pro-West Malaysia stance of the Malaya-based parties, is the Pribumi, or any other Malaya-based parties welcome in Sarawak?
After 55 years, it is clear that the federal government adopts the view that Sabah and Sarawak must be under its control. The two states have abundant land, oil and gas resources. The GE14 gave a new impetus and heightened awakening in the two states for greater autonomy and control over these resources. The call for the reinstatement of the provisions of MA63 resonates in the plains, mountains and across the seas. The Federal Government thus has to loosen its grip but not its influence.
Hence the qualified pronouncements of the PM in Kota Kinabalu. While blatant and open control may no longer be feasible, the next best thing is to control the two states through the back door, namely the two legislative assemblies. Thus the need to expand into Sabah and Sarawak through alliance with locally-based political parties, with KL calling the shots. So far Sabah seems to be holding its ground. How about Sarawak?
Come 2021, Sarawakians will vote in the scheduled state general election. Whither will we vote? Perhaps some may be inclined to vote for the PH coalition parties. It is reasonable to expect the full weight of the PH machinery during the campaign period. Tun Mahathir himself may go to the ground – turun padang as they say. Come what may, there are a few pointers to bear in mind.
Firstly, the PH is, in the final analysis, a KL-centred coalition. They have backtracked on their recent election promises. In all likelihood, they will do so again. As they say, traditions die hard. The protagonists will argue that voting for PH is voting for a strong and stable government, a prerequisite for development. However, we have seen earlier that the future of the PH coalition is very much in question.
Secondly, to what extent can we expect the elected PH representatives in the assembly to work for and vote in the interest of Sarawak and her people? In this regard, the PH representatives in Sarawak have so far shown their true colours. They will toe the KL line.
We need only to recall how the DAP representative echoed the KL stance of returning only a portion of the Petronas profit to Sarawak instead of the 20% royalty. In the issue of our rights over education, specifically the use of English as the medium of instruction, the PH representative said this would be against the constitution and spirit of Malaysia and the National Language Act, echoing the view of the Minister of Education.
It is very clear that they will be falling in line for the unspoken Grand Plan of the Federal Government to enforce its influence if not control of the state through the back door. The state PH representatives will accede to this. To do otherwise would cost them their positions. The fight for the rights of Sarawak can thus only be entrusted to people who truly represent the interests of Sarawak.
Tok Nan started the crusade to fight for the full restoration of MA63. The full restoration of MA63 means the freedom to chart our own future in the way we deem fit; it means the preservation of our traditions and culture. This is a very important and significant aspect. We do not want the religious and racial extremism prevalent in West Malaysia to spread to Sarawak.
The philosophy of “cash is king” is anathema to us. It breeds corruption, nepotism, and malfeasance. Acrimonious exchange of words followed by suing and counter-suing in courts as an exercise of democratic rights is not our way – least of all, the throwing of chairs and breaking of bones when discussions break down. Is this the political culture that the PH representatives want to introduce into Sarawak?
In the final analysis, it is extremely important that we have the freedom and power to decide our own future. This is our cause. This is our fight. Let us stand as one in this saga. This fight is now championed by the GPS under the seasoned leadership of our Chief Minister, Abg Jo. Under his stewardship, the rights, traditions and values of every group are honored and respected, true to the custom and culture of give-and-take. We are a cultured people. Our political culture is rooted in the tradition of brotherly relations in a big family, living in harmony, understanding and cooperation. This is our tradition. This is our culture. This we value dearly.
Therefore, come 2021, let us vote for people who genuinely care for Sarawak. Let us be guided always by the wisdom of the venerable Tun Jugah; let not Malaysia be “manis di pun, tabar di ujung” – sweet at the beginning and tasteless at the end. Let us not be carried away by promises from people who do not regard us equals.
Pena Raut
