By Waytha Moorthy
I make this statement in my personal capacity as advisor to various groups in Borneo seeking for their rights to review the Malaysia Agreement 1963. This applies to all my previous statements.
I refer to the statement by PBS Secretary General Johnny Mositun calling the reinstatement of the draconian Internal Security Act to deal with extremists and instigators who are calling for the true democratic rights of Borneo people. I further refer to the statement by Sabah Chief Minister Dato Musa Aman who is threatening the alleged secession movement in Sabah.
The Cobbold Commission published its findings in Report of the Commission of Enquiry, North Borneo and Sarawak in August 1962.
Among the observation noted by Lord Cobbold was
“It is a necessary condition that, from the outset, Malaysia should be regarded by all concerned as an association of partners, combining in the common interests to create a new nation but retaining their own individualities. If any idea were to take root that Malaysia would involve a ‘take-over’ of the Borneo territories by the Federation of Malaya and the submersion of the individualities of North Borneo and Sarawak, Malaysia would not, in my judgement, be generally acceptable or successful.”
The above appears to reflect the current state of the nation as advocated by the civil societies and civil leaders of Sabah and Sarawak.
It appears the Borneo ruling component parties in Sabah and Sarawak are moving in an offensive mode with the recent rise in momentum calling for self-determination of the above states in light of the loss of confidence in Putrajaya administration as a result of a perpetual short change by the Federal government towards the rights & liberty of the peoples of Sabah and Sarawak. The call to reinstate the Internal Security Act is nothing but a desperate act to maintain the “Malaya hegemony” (as perceived by people of Borneo).
Of late various human rights advocates, NGO’s and political parties in the 2 Borneo states have worked in unity to raise their communities rights to invoke their inherent rights to self-determination due to continues neglect of their grievances, woes and deteriorating state of its community . They have started various campaigns, road shows and signature campaign to the United Nations as no positive response or likelihood of any resolution has been brought forward by the current administration instead only threats & coercion seems to be the agenda to suppress their frustration.
The human rights advocates are raising valid question on the validity of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the subsequent abrogation of the agreement with Singapore’s independence in 1965 coupled with the blatant ignorant of the Federal government, whether the Agreement is still valid, and if not whether they have a right to determine their own future. Further the MA 1963 was entered into on equal footing as a federation of independent nations that consists of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak & Singapore, therefore there is no issue of secession but mere separation as it was done with Singapore.
The “Malaya Powerhouse” should realize that when these 2 states joined the Federation, it was on an understanding of good faith that they as well as Singapore which was the 3rd block would form a partnership and that the composition of Parliamentary seats would be such that the 3 states would have at least 1/3 of the total Malaysia Parliament seats hence denying the “Malaya power” the opportunity alter or amend the Federal constitution without basis.
However the equation changed after Singapore left the Federation and this has caused the 2 Borneo states to lose their Political Franchise to protect the interest of their community. Factors such as the alleged orchestrated change in demographic by the influx of immigrants from Philippines and Indonesia who are given IC’s caused further dilution of the Sabah population causing the loss of their political franchise. Further the land grab by Malaya powers and their crony companies, the loop sided oil deal and taxation have caused great hardship and the feeling that the people of these states have now been re-colonized by the “Malaya power”.
It is time the Government stop the culture of threatening, fear and the use of sedition and security laws to curb legitimate voices of democracy and engage these people who have valid concerns. The lifespan of politically engineered demographic position such as in Sabah where UMNO rules through proxy is numbered as the people no longer fear repression and threat of arrest as the voices of democracy can never be suppressed forever.
I call upon the BN leaders in Sabah and Sarawak to urge the “Malaya power” to engage the voices of dissent and reinstate their legitimate rights rather than urging repressive actions by the Federal Government.
* P. Waytha Moorthy is the Hindraf chairman and the Independent adviser for Borneo Rights Group.
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