Sabah and Sarawak Should Stay Neutral

Being neutral is the best option for political parties in Sabah and Sarawak. They can demand more by doing that, just as PAS is doing in Kelantan and Terengganu.

Ahmad Faiz Faiza

UMNO Sabah has been fractured since its inception in the late 80s. First, between USNO people v Berjaya people who both entered and form UMNO Sabah. Later, between Musa Aman’s faction v Shafie Apdal’s faction. There are other factions as well but Musa v Shafie was the biggest of all.

Najib made a big mistake in not fulfilling his promise to make Shafie Apdal CM of Sabah after 2008 GE when he became PM in 2009. He had another opportunity after GE13 yet he allowed Musa to stay on. If not Sabah would still be under BN.

UMNO Sabah after GE14 made the right move becoming independents. UMNO Sabah was always a temporary solution to the Sabahan Muslim disunity and fighting between USNO and Berjaya people. It is just like their temporary rotational CM system. They should have reestablished USNO once more. Berjaya people, even PBS was formerly of USNO. But no, they joined Bersatu instead.

It is a wrong move I’d say for Sabahans want a local party to represent them, not one that is directly beholden to a Malayan. Even PH only won 8 seats compared to the new kid on the block Warisan who won 21 seats. They should have emulated Sarawak BN who formed their own alliance and is now a force to be reckoned with.

Being neutral is the best option for political parties in Sabah and Sarawak. They can demand more by doing that, just as PAS is doing in Kelantan and Terengganu. Plus, they have their own safeguards more than other states in Malaysia, within the Federal Constitution, to make those demands.

Some may say without Sabah and Sarawak, Malayan parties cannot form a government in Putrajaya. That’s only true if the Malay Muslims remain divided. There are around 119 majority Malay seats in Malaya.  Around 80 seats have more than 70% Malay Muslim voters. Nearly 100 seats have more than 60% Malay Muslim voters  while the rest are above 50%. It is therefore possible for PAS and UMNO to form the federal government in Putrajaya without the need for any other parties – MCA, MIC, Gerakan included. Let alone the need for Sabah and Sarawak parties.

The one feeling the heat now is PH especially DAP. Their days in Putrajaya are numbered. Even with Sabah and Sarawak support, they cannot form the Federal Government without winning at least 10 or more Malay seats. Looking at the statistics of the last GE14 and the current Malay Muslim sentiments, they fall far short.

Thus, Sabah and Sarawak should remain neutral. Joining PH, whichever faction that is Mahathir or Anwar, especially Anwar and DAP, is superfluous. If PAS/UMNO comes to power, they may regret it. Worse if PPBM merges with UMNO to create UMNO Baru Lagi Baru. 50% of Sabah population are Muslims. While 30% of Sarawakians are Muslims. As it is racial and religious tensions in these states is on the rise because of PH especially DAPs stupid unconstitutional Malaysia Baru.

Bear in mind article 153 and others like land reserve in the Federal Constitution that protect Malay Muslims also protect the special positions of Sabah and Sarawak Bumiputeras. Supporting DAP’s Malaysia Baru means actually dismantling such protections for Sabahans and Sarawakians as well. In reality, constitutionally, Sabah and Sarawak actually benefit more making alliances with UMNO and PAS than with the DAP-led PH.

And I haven’t touched on PH’s disastrous economic planning so far. Do remember Sabah for example has the largest kelapa sawit plantation in the country, and also the largest fishing industry. The drop in revenue for both industries only makes it harder for Sabahans to continue supporting PH in Putrajaya.

On the other hand, Putrajaya’s agreement to reinstate Sabah and Sarawak’s position back to the original article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution is welcome. But the recent Rome Statute issue which bypasses not only the rights of the Rulers Council, but also the states, is alarming. Putrajaya does not have carte blanche power in regards to foreign matters. It is limited as per the relevant articles within the Federal Constitution. For example, Putrajaya cannot bypass immigration rules which is wholly owned by Sabah and Sarawak, and give rights of entry to anyone into these states without the states themselves agreeing to it. But the Rome Statute issue seems to allow this. It is a dangerous precedent and clearly unconstitutional.

Staying neutral is the best option. Let us Malayans fight the war in Malaya to determine who is the real king of the hill. Then Sabah and Sarawak can join whoever wins if they want to, or continue to remain neutral.

As to claiming total Independence, that needs another article, for it brings many other variables and issues into play, including a real war especially in Sabah. Do remember Philippines has yet to drop their claim on Sabah. Independence may bring more problems if it is not done properly. But all that is for another article.