Is Malaysia only for the Malays and Muslims ?
Of course not !
If we may say - this is a narrow if not a ‘Malayan way' of looking at the 'Malaysia Concept' of a 'Malaysian Malaysia' which was premised and founded on the basis of the Inter-Governmental Committee Report 1962 (IGC 1962) and the negotiations leading to the signing of MA63 on 9/7/1963 culminating in the formation of Malaysia on 16/9/1963
It speaks a lot about '1-Malaysia' and 'Keluarga Malaysia' when our Federal Government and Leadership are consistently out of alignment with these basic principles, pursuant to MA63. They know well enough that 'without MA63, there is no Malaysia' or translated as 'no Sarawak, no Sabah = No Malaysia'
The FEDERATION of MALAYSIA had been, and still is perceived by many Malayans/ Federal Leaders as 'an EXTENSION of GREATER MALAYA' with Sarawak and Sabah as the ‘additional states’. If that had been the case, Sarawak and Sabah would never have agreed to it.
Even ‘Bapa Malaysia’, Tunku Abdul Rahman had made it clear that ‘multi-racialism’ and ‘multi-religious’ shall be the way forward and Malaysia is NOT an Islamic State but a Secular Country with a Secular Constitution.
It's sad that Sarawak was dragged into this ‘on-going’ Malaya’s race and religious polemics, notwithstanding the circumstances during those turbulent times.
What alarms us even more was the statement by our Sarawak Premier that “as the head of the state government who is a Muslim, he has always insisted that the “Charter of Medina” is a very suitable guide to guarantee fair administration for the multi-ethnic and multi-religious communities in Sarawak.
Lest we forget - our Sarawak Constitution, framed along the 'Nine Cardinal Principles' epitomised the harmonious multi-racial and multi-religious unadulterated acceptance way of life which Sarawakians are so accustomed to, oblivious to race or religion. Politics in Sarawak was, by large, devoid of racial or religious connotations. This is also evidenced by the set-up and composition of the various political parties in Sarawak - mostly multi-racial/multi-religious.
But not Malaya's political backyard where politics is largely race and religion-driven which the Malayan/Federal Government have been trying to EXPORT to and IMPOSE on Secular Fairland Sarawak directly or via their ‘local proxies’.
So much so that even our often 'subservient' State Leaders have to soften their stand of protecting the rights and interests of Sarawak, as enshrined in MA63, to accommodate the demands and conditions of Putrajaya and their Federal Coalition Partners.
Trouble is, many a time, our State Leaders even appeared to conduct themselves as 'subordinates' to Umno/Pas Leaders.
Worse, some even worked 'hand in glove' as accomplices in 'political crime' to rob Sarawak using politics of ‘doublespeak’ and mass distraction along the ‘cowboy and Indian’ political story-line.
Therein lies the irony and conflict of interests of our State Leaders - on one hand proclaiming ‘to furiously safeguarding and protecting Sarawak's rights and interests pursuant to MA63’ while ‘submitting’ to the 'race and religious' agenda of Umno, MIC, MCA or even Pas.
If this were not a ‘square peg in a round hole situation’, what then is it ?
This 'collaboration' or acquiescence with the 'race and religious-driven' agenda of Putrajaya is more of a CHOICE for political expediency and longevity than a real desire to further Sarawak's 'model state' of ‘unity and harmony in diversity’ in sync with the spirit of MA63.
How can that be?
Given that there is now a CHOICE of an ALTERNATIVE at the Federal level for a multi-racial and multi-religious coalition to move BOTH Malaysia and Sarawak forward on the right alignment for a 'Malaysian Malaysia'.
In short, we can't have the cake and eat it, can we?
But 'blood' appears thicker than water, as our State Leadership’s ‘political leanings’ over the years have shown. It looks determined, if not resolute to continue the 'Malayanisation and Islamisation' of Sarawak despite the denials.
Where are the ‘VOICES of SECULAR FAIRLAND SARAWAK’ within the State Government ‘of the people, by the people and for the people’ ?
“At the core of the government's efforts to infuse the Malaysian polity with Islamic alternatives for socio-political arrangements is a gradual process of ‘syariahization’.” ( RE: Syariahization of Intra-Muslim Religious Freedom and Human Rights Practice in Malaysia: The Case of Darul Arqam
AHMAD FAUZI ABDUL HAMID )
This begs the question – how does this reconcile with our Premier and the GPS government in its pledge ‘to fight fiercely for Sarawak’s rights and interests’ under MA63 ?
‘Secular Fairland Sarawak’ does seem like an ‘anomaly’ in the equation, doesn’t it ?
Unless one chooses to turn the other way, the 'evidences' are all there, directly or indirectly - openly or subtly. Even our Sarawak Premier echoed Umno and Pas' on the ‘Medina Charter’ and said that the Sarawak Government will apply the principles of the 'Medina Charter' to govern Sarawak.
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/485796
(Annuar: Umno-PAS charter to be based on Constitution of Medina) Published Jul 29, 2019 11:31 AM
This, by itself runs contrary to the SECULAR Constitution of Sarawak as guided by the Nine Cardinal Principles. The mention, if not application of the Medina Charter implies that Malaysia is heading towards the making of an ‘Islamic State’, or evolving into one, and by ‘political, religious and racial’ association, dragging Sarawak into the same bed as Umno and Pas.
It saddens us that positions, fame and comfort had probably blurred the vision of many of our local leaders as well as their alignment insofar as Secular Fairland Sarawak is concerned.
The direction that the goodwill ship of Fairland Sarawak is sailing does give cause for concern when we are still grappling with basic issues like potholes, poor communications and weak infrastructure development, largely in the rural areas. Making a mockery of the assurances of improved progress and development for Sarawak after joining in the formation of Malaysia.
Instead, we have also regressed as polarisation and discrimination slowly but surely rear their ugly heads under the ‘divide and rule’ as seen in the lop-sided representation in our Civil Service as well as in other public and government-linked companies and agencies.
We look back with fondness, if not admiration of the days ‘gone by’ where ALL Sarawakians could interact - sit, drink, have fun and laugh – TOGETHER, oblivious to race or religion, as epitomised by our unadulterated acceptance way of life.
Ironically, those who try to promote these 'good old days' Sarawak are perceived as discussing 'sensitive issues of race and religion'. How can that be?
If Sarawakians have been practising these things right for ages, who are these ‘race and religious experts’ to tell us how to do them right?
Like trying to reinvent the wheel ?
I feel moved here to quote Alexander Pope (1688-1744), the English poet:
“A little learning is a dangerous thing;
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring:
There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
And drinking largely sobers us again.”
Maybe it is a good idea to read more into ‘The Medina Charter’ to fully understand what it actually represents, in the context of ‘Secular Fairland Sarawak’ before we start applauding our Premier for his ‘keenness to govern Sarawak along the principles of the Medina Charter’.
https://thenutgraph.com/malaysia-isnt-medina/
If we CHOOSE to keep quiet and do nothing, then we deserve what we get.
Remember….
“History without Political Science bears no fruit,
Political Science without History has no roots.”
There is no need to reinvent the Sarawak wheel of peace and harmony among its people.
As Sarawakians have been doing and practising it right for ages, may we be reminded of the late Tok Nan's parting words to "Jaga Sarawak baik-baik" and may they continue to echo and reverberate throughout this heartland of Bumi Kenyalang.
What SARAWAK needs are LEADERS with PRINCIPLES – nothing more, nothing less.
Secular Fairland Sarawak – to be, or not to be ?
IT IS IN OUR VERY OWN HANDS.
We ❤️ Sarawak !
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