OF the several major contemporary challenges confronting us as a nation, probably none is as potentially serious in its long-term implications as that raised in Sarawak and Sabah over the general state of the federation.
The voices raised are rather discordant, sometimes slightly incoherent, even conflicting, and somewhat extreme at the fringe. But the popular disquiet, even anger, is palpable and therefore undeniable. This leaves both state governments — and indeed politicians of all stripes in both states — with little choice but to reflect some, if not all, the sentiments being expressed.
The time is therefore opportune for a new Federal Government to take concrete action so the nation can collectively turn the page and move forward, instead of being continually looking backwards. An overall stock-take, as it were, on the state of the federation is perhaps long over-due and therefore absolutely necessary.
Previous administrations in Putrajaya — either through benign or dismissive neglect — had allowed discontent to fester, building resentment up to a stage now that breeds cynicism, distrust and a rather severe case of popular backlash.
This in no way absolves successive administrations in both states which have invariably shown themselves all too willing to do the bidding of Putrajaya, for motivations and reasons pure, sincere or otherwise. There is much blame to go around but let us all rise above any blame game.
Any meaningful accounting and even review of our federal foundations, however, must start with some acknowledgement, even tacitly, that the fault lies not just with Putrajaya but also in Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. Pointing fingers and trying to apportion blame will therefore be rather meaningless in an exercise of such national importance.
Things happened and events occurred and Federal and state leaders reacted, responded, and took actions, for better or worse. Hindsight, as they say, is always 20/20. Let us leave the guessing game as to why particular past actions were taken to future historians.
Suffice to acknowledge at this juncture that any actions taken have consequences, both immediate as well as long-term. Our urgent task now must be to address and rectify the most pressing consequence of past actions and inactions: the popular disenchantment building up in Sarawak and Sabah over the terms of federation.
The Federal Government, and in particular Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, seem finally to acknowledge that the matter is sufficiently weighty and serious to merit the creation of a steering committee chaired by Dr Mahathir himself to look into it.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew View Keong said the high-powered 16-member committee will have both the chief ministers of Sabah and Sarawak, several key Federal ministers, the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, the Chief Secretary to the Government, the Federal as well as the Sabah and Sarawak attorneys-general among its members. Its very critical remit will be to review and streamline the Malaysia Agreement 1963 that has been the subject of much heated debate and contention in the two Borneo states of late.
The committee has already met with positive and some negative reactions. Its political composition reflects the reality of post-May 9 Malaysia, with both Sabah and Sarawak led by state governments not formally tied to the incumbent Federal Government politically. This should result in a healthier flow and exchange of view-points since it represents a good cross-section of them.
The committee also appears to be designed to urgently come to grip with any further deterioration and widening gap in public perceptions in Sabah and Sarawak towards federation. It has set itself a fairly tight schedule of six months before action is implemented.
All involved must be fully conscious that they are in this together. Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal reiterated on a visit with his Sarawak counterpart just last week that there is no question about sentiments for Malaysia.
Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Abang Openg had previously also said something similar about sentiments in Sarawak. The common interests are clearly for strengthening, not wrecking, the federation.
It is appropriate that the committee will get to hear directly from the prime minister about what is realistic and achievable at the Putrajaya end and for him to receive from the Sabah and Sarawak chief ministers the hopes and aspirations of both states.
If all parties involved are truly sincere, a meeting of minds should be attainable and a more equitable and comprehensive arrangement forged on the way forward for the federation, with Sabah and Sarawak as fully integral partners in it.
The writer views developments in the nation, the region and the wider world from his vantage point in Kuching, Sarawak