Kota Kinabalu: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Vice President David Ong has called on the Federal Government to guarantee that at least one-third of policy-drafting officers in every Federal ministry are from Sabah and Sarawak.
He also wants one-third of board positions in all government-linked companies (GLCs) filled by East Malaysian representatives.
He said this is about restoring fairness, not seeking special privileges and reminded that Malaysia was formed in 1963 as an equal partnership between three regions, namely, Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak.
However, he pointed out that most national decisions have been made in Putrajaya without adequate East Malaysian input, resulting in policies that often do not reflect ground realities in Sabah and Sarawak.
“The challenges in Keningau and Kapit are vastly different from those in Kuala Lumpur or Johor Bahru,” he said, noting that rural infrastructure like roads, schools and healthcare in East Malaysia requires policies that account for unique geographical conditions.
He pointed out that officers who understand these conditions must be involved from the start of policy-making, not merely consulted afterwards.
He also noted Sabah and Sarawak’s substantial contributions to national wealth through oil, gas and natural resources.
As equal partners, he said, both states deserve a say in managing national income and development funds.
He said that GLCs under the Ministry of Finance belong to all three founding partners, not Malaya alone.
Having East Malaysian representation on their boards would ensure national projects, investments and development plans serve the entire federation’s interests, he said.
“Sabah and Sarawak are no longer the children in the Malaysian family. We are mature, capable and responsible partners,” he said, adding that true unity requires equality in practice, not just in words.
