Looking east to Sabah and Sarawak

Professor Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli Abdul Razak,
My View - The Sun Daily
September 16, 2015

TODAY Malaysians will be celebrating more than 50 years as a new nation born out of the three "states" of Federation of Malaya, British North Borneo (later Sabah) and Sarawak.

It goes back to 1961, when Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaya's then prime minister, mooted the idea of a wider federation that included Singapore and Brunei as well.

The birth was not particularly easy, as Indonesia being suspicious of its neo-colonial intent launched what was known as "Konfrontasi". For similar reasons, some of the locals in Sabah and Sarawak were also disagreeable.

However following an assessment by the Cobbold Commission in 1962, it was found that 70% accepted the idea. As Malayans were generally in agreement, Malaysia soon came into being following the signing of the Malaysian Agreement in July 1963. This is despite Indonesia and the Philippines rejecting the Cobbold findings.

Fast forward, the new nation is now 52 years of age; still a toddler in a lifetime of nations. Its raison d'etre, by and large, remains intact amid some teething problems, and some alleged unfulfilled promises. Like all siblings, there are ups and downs, with excessive politicking polluting the scenes, at one time or the other.

Overall, much has been gained over the five decades in almost all sectors, cutting across many communities. Malaysia is able to present itself to the world as a viable modern entity despite initial ruptures and scepticism. In fact, Malaysia took a leading role as one of the founders of Asean, noted for its dynamism and close cooperation envied by many as a forward-looking regional grouping.

Within Malaysia, although former Malaya leads economically, in part thanks to the "aid" from Sabah and Sarawak, economic development is equally visible in the two states. Similarly in terms of other social structures, especially that of healthcare, education and various social support system. Undeniably, however, more needs to be done given the lower socio-economic base from where Sabah and Sarawak were while under the colonial yoke. These are some of the long-standing contentions that must be quickly dealt with to close the gap given the time that has lapsed.

Notwithstanding the above, Sabah and Sarawak have proved to be increasingly the backbone of Malaysia. While still enjoying physical and economic development, they are more successful in maintaining their socio-cultural complexity, richness and heritage. Their communities are "more" Malaysian as compared to those in the peninsula part of Malaysia – at one time oddly labelled "West Malaysia".

The people of Sabah and Sarawak are concerned and critical of the so-called "westerners" imposing their ways and thinking on them. Indeed so because their own communal living is more amiable – friendly, sincere, and congenial, and in many ways tolerant, peaceful and harmonious. It is something that the Malayans used to recognise and live by, but have lost it along the way as the rush for "progress" and "development" took over as the name of the game changes. The state of social cohesion has taken a dive, tearing the fabric of the community as it plummeted.

Sabah and Sarawak continue to hold Malaysia together as a reminder of what the raison d'etre is all about. For a start, a large majority of the diverse communities in both states can identify themselves with a single language, namely bahasa kebangsaan – regardless of the differing accents. Their counterparts in the "west" are put to shame on this score.

They are clamouring now for the mastery of the English language, forgetting that the mastery and usage of the national language is equally poor. As such many would have no qualms arguing for greater mastery and usage of English for Sabahans and Sarawakians since it is plain to see how the bahasa kebangsaan will continue to be the glue that binds the nation together.

This is made even more so when the traditional socio-cultural identity is equally kept vibrant and proudly displayed as a living heritage. In fact, these are the values that define the people and the nation; not just alphanumeric materialistic achievements that in recent days seem incapable of assuring national wellbeing all round without compromising social cohesion in any way.

So, let us look "east" to relearn and regain what we have lost over the last 50 years while ensuring that Sabah and Sarawak continue to be enriched socio-culturally. It is not for nothing that Kuching was recently declared as the world's first City of Unity meeting all the 12 criteria to qualify for such a historic recognition. Selamat Menyambut Hari Malaysia!