The Growing Momentum For Secession In Sabah And Sarawak



The perception of peninsula politics under the leadership of Anwar Ibrahim is giving Sabahans and Sarawakians cause to think about the divisive identity politics, racism, and rise of political Islamization, very different to what East Malaysian Muslims are practising.
Murray Hunter
The small secession movement in Sabah and Sarawak has been getting louder over the past 9 months. This is the case, even with an East Malaysian deputy prime minister in the federal government, and the recent constitutional amendments proclaiming Sabah and Sarawak as regions and not states. The perception of peninsula politics under the leadership of Anwar Ibrahim is giving Sabahans and Sarawakians cause to think about the divisive identity politics, racism, and rise of political Islamization, very different to what East Malaysian Muslims are practising.
There is a major population differential between the peninsula with 27 million people, and Sabah and Sarawak with a little over 6 million people. Many Sabahans regret the over-running of the region with Muslim illegal immigrants from Indonesia and the Philippines under project IC for the purpose of assisting UMNO enter Sabah politics and takeover the state government. This destroyed Kadazan/Dusun dominance of government before the flood of illegals. Such strategies were resisted in Sarawak, which has managed to keep its ethnic balance intact.
Many East Malaysians want much more autonomy and less interference from Putra Jaya. The growth of the small secession movement had traditionally been kept in check by the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) – now defunct, which allowed detention without trial and the Sedition Act.
The changing political dynamics in federal politics has allowed much more free speech on issues of autonomy and secession in East Malaysia. In Kuching, there are often small demonstrations by the SAREXIT NGO bringing the issue into open public view.
Sabah and Sarawak colonies of Malaya?
Those who claim Malaya took advantage of Sabah and Sarawak, see Malaya acquiring Sabah and Sarawak from the British Empire, rather than a merger of equals. Malaya became the new caretaker of the two former British colonial states. Sarawak politician Voon Lee Shan claimed United Nations records show Malaya acquired Sabah (North Borneo) and Sarawak from Great Britain. Thus, according to Voon “this made Sabah and Sarawak colonies of the Federation of Malaya”.
Voon justifies his view from the “Queen of England’s message to Tunku Abdul Rahman’ on the inauguration of Malaysia on September 18, 1963;
“I have the pleasure in presenting to you this gift from the British Government to the government of Malaysia. This piece of modern silver, especially designed by British craftsmen for the occasion, brings the greetings of the people of Britain.”
Tunku’s reply of acceptance of Britain’s gift to the Commonwealth Secretary on September 19, 1963 was;
“I am grateful for the confidence of Her Majesty’s Government in passing the rights over the territories (Singapore, Sarawak, and Sabah) to us. We shall do everything possible to justify the trust you have placed in us.”
One of the biggest grievances is there was no plebiscite of the people of Sabah and Sarawak agreeing to any merger with Malaya and Singapore at the time. Some are angered by the process of decolonization pursued by Britain that led to the formation of Malaysia. The British wanted an anti-communist government in its former colonies, as it left the Far East. Britain had cultivated the leaders of Sarawak and Sabah (then North Borneo) to agree to joining Malaysia.
Another issue that makes Sarawakians and Sabahans feel like they are colonialized is embedded into the constitution. According to Article 32 and the Third Schedule, only the nine Malay rulers in the peninsula can ever become Malaysia’s head of state. The constitution explicitly excludes the possibility that any person from Sabah or Sarawak could ever become the head of state.
The failure of the federal government to honour the Malaysia Agreement 1963 has left many with mixed feelings. Both Sabah and Sarawak have not been given the high levels of autonomy they were promised. They are disenchanted with the seemingly continuous erosion of power taken by the centralist federal government.
The massive development of the peninsula in contrast to the scant development in East Malaysia is well noticed giving some a feel of being cheated. Sabah has a poverty rate of 19.5 percent, Sarawak is 9 percent, where the national average is 5.6 percent. Sabahan and Sarawakian feel the peninsula has prospered at their expense. This is what makes the 5 percent oil and gas royalty a major issue of contention.
NGOs changing their strategy
There has always been a small group talking about secession. The secessionist movement is made up mostly of professional middleclass people cantered in Kuching and to a lessor extend in Kota Kinabalu. Most of secession sentiment can be seen through social media today.
A group supporting secession, Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak ran in the last Sarawak state election, but couldn’t raise more than 2,972 votes across half a dozen seats, where each candidate lost their deposit. Inspired by the Catalonia and Scotland movements, the strategy has changed to educating more people about the issues around secession until it becomes a major issue. NGO leaders are now resigned to the idea it may take a generation to educate people about the history of federation with Malaya, and the injustices involved.
There is slowly growing sentiment in Sabah and Sarawak advocating secession from the federation. Politicians in both Sabah and Sarawak are now talking about keeping “Malaya out”.
The Sarawak government has already gone a long way down the path in seeking more autonomy. Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) support of the Anwar government has given Sarawak a lot more leverage to takeover responsibilities from the federal government in areas like education. The strength of Sabah and Sarawak to bargain with Putra Jaya is greatly weakened with little, if any collaboration between politicians of Sabah and Sarawak. Sabah and Sarawak have not been able to present any united front towards Putra Jaya.
The growing political Islamization in the peninsula is creating a reactionary nationalism in both Sabah and Sarawak. Sabah and Sarawak, both ethnically diverse, with high rates of intermarriage, rejects the political Islam that advocates exclusion of the peninsula. Many Sabahans and Sarawakians cherish the idea of a secular state.
Politicians are not under the threat of ISA or charges of sedition they once were. Therefore, more nationalistic talk should be expected in the future. How much of this will be politicians pandering to their constituents, and how much will be sincere will be another matter. One more factor hindering a stronger move towards secession is the self-interests of the political elites in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. They have their own agendas.
One final dynamic will be the establishment of Nusantara, the new Indonesian national capital in Kalimantan. Nusantara is closer to Sabah and Sarawak than Putra Jaya, and the people of Kalimantan are culturally closer than those in the peninsula. This could also have great influence upon the future political directions of Sabah and Sarawak, and may bring new dimensions.
A major factor is how much autonomy Putra Jaya will allow Sabah and Sarawak in the near future.
The post The growing momentum for secession in Sabah and Sarawak appeared first on Malaysia Today.


Artikel ini hanyalah simpanan cache dari url asal penulis yang berkebarangkalian sudah terlalu lama atau sudah dibuang :

https://www.malaysia-today.net/2024/05/09/the-growing-momentum-for-secession-in-sabah-and-sarawak/

Kempen Promosi dan Iklan
Kami memerlukan jasa baik anda untuk menyokong kempen pengiklanan dalam website kami. Serba sedikit anda telah membantu kami untuk mengekalkan servis percuma aggregating ini kepada semua.

Anda juga boleh memberikan sumbangan anda kepada kami dengan menghubungi kami di sini
Sarawak To Table Bill For Taking Control Of Ports In The State

Sarawak To Table Bill For Taking Control Of Ports In The State

papar berkaitan - pada 5/5/2024 - jumlah : 116 hits
A new port authority will be set up for the ports of Kuching Sibu Miri Tanjung Manis and Bintulu which will be taken over from the federal government PETALING JAYA The Sarawak government is seeking to take control of all ports in the state ...
Doctor Goes The Distance For Sarawak S Rural Folk

Doctor Goes The Distance For Sarawak S Rural Folk

papar berkaitan - pada 12/5/2024 - jumlah : 102 hits
Marcos Popey Jarith and his four man team visit a total of 32 rural villages on a monthly basis PETALING JAYA For many urban Malaysians a trip to the nearest clinic is not an arduous affair but in Sarawak s rural communities a visit to a cl...
Unleashing The Miracle Of Retinol For Your Skin

Unleashing The Miracle Of Retinol For Your Skin

papar berkaitan - pada 10/5/2024 - jumlah : 152 hits
Many ingredients have been introduced wielding transformative effects to cater to specific skin concerns within the skincare industry nowadays Everybody loves skincare products that work and recently people have been raving about retinol sa...
Pm S Green Light For Perak Water Supply One Of The Best News For Penang In 51 Years Says Pbapp

Pm S Green Light For Perak Water Supply One Of The Best News For Penang In 51 Years Says Pbapp

papar berkaitan - pada 8/5/2024 - jumlah : 110 hits
PBAPP chief executive officer K Pathmanathan say Penang needs to urgently tap a second major water resource to meet its water needs NSTP file picGEORGE TOWN Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim s announcement that Perak will supply treat...
Five Secrets For The Best Way To Study

Five Secrets For The Best Way To Study

papar berkaitan - pada 8/5/2024 - jumlah : 159 hits
Everybody needs to find the efficient and the Students who are attending specialized courses need all the support of the world to study as good and efficient as possible and to also memorize everything in the shortest time There are five ve...
How To Choose The Right Color Bodysuit For Your Outfit

How To Choose The Right Color Bodysuit For Your Outfit

papar berkaitan - pada 8/5/2024 - jumlah : 178 hits
How to Choose the Right Color Bodysuit for Your Outfit Colors can have different effects on how you look Some can complement your skin tone and others can actually make you look slimmer Feelingirl offers a variety of in different colors Thi...
Who Will The Indians Vote For In Kkb Polls

Who Will The Indians Vote For In Kkb Polls

papar berkaitan - pada 10/5/2024 - jumlah : 120 hits
Indian voters make up 18 of the 40 444 eligible voters for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by election tomorrow HULU SELANGOR On most days in Kuala Kubu Baharu the weather is unpredictable extreme heat in the morning gives way to heavy rain in the af...
Sabah Assembly Passes 2 Bills To Harness Ocean Waves For Energy

Sabah Assembly Passes 2 Bills To Harness Ocean Waves For Energy

papar berkaitan - pada 26/4/2024 - jumlah : 111 hits
Chief minister Hajiji Noor said Sabah has the potential to generate up to 20 000 MW of electric power from ocean thermal energy PETALING JAYA The Sabah assembly today passed two bills that will allow the state to utilise ocean waves to gene...
Support For Pn Stayed The Same Despite Low Turnout Says Muhyiddin

Support For Pn Stayed The Same Despite Low Turnout Says Muhyiddin

papar berkaitan - pada 12/5/2024 - jumlah : 83 hits
Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said the opposition coalition would study the results of the by election in detail PETALING JAYA The Kuala Kubu Baharu by election results indicate that support for Perikatan Nasional generally r...
Villa K By Kiryu Atelier T Architects Co In Toyota Japan

Miliki Sebuah Rumah Di Bayu Sutera Dan Berpeluang Menunaikan Umrah

Maklumat Bocor Akan Ganggu Siasatan Polis Saifuddin

At The End Of The Day Politicians Are All The Same

8 Rahasia Kapal Selam Yang Tidak Boleh Diketahui Musuh

Island Bbq Steamboat

Journey Of Ai Team

Beras Kesihatan Dan Masa Depan Mampan



10 Fakta Biodata Aniq Durar Pelakon Drama Berepisod Dua Darjat Slot Akasia TV3 Gandingan Sharifah Rose

Info Dan Sinopsis Hierarchy Netflix TV Series Kdrama 2024

Info Dan Sinopsis Drama Berepisod Dua Darjat Slot Akasia TV3

Pakej Halal Murah Acheh Pulau Sabang Indonesia 4H 3M Tahun 2024

10 Filem Korea Terbaru Best 2023 2024 Boleh Tonton Secara Online


Berhenti Menjadi Anai Anai Dalam Kerajaan

Keyword Research For Salon Seo Finding The Right Terms To Target

Pm Kalau Naikkan Harga Walau Dapat Subsidi Kamu Jaga

Kl Rovers Jadi Lauk Sabah Fc

Jika Tarik Lesen Bas 1 5 Juta Murid Tidak Pergi Sekolah

Skmm Ambil Tindakan Kebocoran Media Sosial Kes Zayn Rayyan