WE have just celebrated Merdeka Day and are now moving forward to celebrate Malaysia Day on Sept 16. Two separate celebrations, marking two different events on the trajectory of nation building.
Upon reflecting these two days that we as Malaysians are observing and celebrating for decades, the former marks the independence of Malayans from the colonial power while the other being by the three entities of Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak coming together as one with the formation of Malaysia as a nation in 1963 under the Malaysian Agreement (MA63).
This recent call by federal Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi that Sarawak should have its own currency should the less favourable economy in Malaysia persists, usage of the word “Allah” or various divisive statements and remarks are tell-tale signs that East Malaysians are unhappy with the way their country is being governed today.
There is growing frustration among East Malaysians that MA63 has been hijacked with promises unfilled as in the case of percentage on oil royalty.
It cannot be ruled out that Sabah and Sarawak which is separated from Peninsular Malaysia by the South China Sea boasts different unique historical evolution that must be carefully looked into by the central government.
All that had been documented in MA63 must be fulfilled to erase every iota of negative thought lingering among East Malaysians that they were cheated by West Malayans to an extent that there are talks that they were colonised by them, the second time.
It is high time that Putrajaya seriously re-visit the MA63 by doing a comprehensive audit on how far the agreement was fulfilled and to what extent it has not been fulfilled.
Discovering the unfulfilled gaps will allow the Federal government to take the necessary action to rectify and remedy the grievances and frustration of Sabahans and Sarawakians.
With Singapore already deemed to have been forced out of Malaysia and with both Sabah and Sarawak demanding their exit from Malaysia, it may mean to the world that the central government is the cause for their exit by failing to fulfil the MA63.
East Malaysians should not feel that they would be better off today had they not become part of Malaysia today as in the case of Brunei and Singapore which are seemingly more prosperous with minimum internal conflicts and contention within themselves
K.T. Maran is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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