Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, popularly known as Abang Jo, didn't mince words when he said recently that he was saddened by the country's inability to focus its energy on economic development due to the political bickering in Peninsular Malaysia.
The fact that he said this during his address at the state-level National Day celebrations is bound to have raised some eyebrows. After all, normally for such an occasion the mood tends to be joyous and upbeat as the nation celebrates its birth and showcases its achievements.
Rightfully too his sobering words should act as food for thought for everyone in the country. But did our politicians (from both sides of the divide) and their followers get the message?
He added that there are some leaders who are desperate to use race and religious issues that can divide a plural society just to gain political support. However this was not good for the country and that we should remain united to face challenges and problems.
While not mentioning names, there has been unending political wrangling in the peninsula where PN (spearheaded by a buoyant PAS) have upped the ante on PM Anwar's unity government with its relentless attacks.
In fact, the idea of "weaponizing" race and religion to force a change in a democratically-elected government seems to have become somewhat acceptable in the peninsula. What is heart-wrenching though is that many West Malaysians (including learned ones) appear to have no qualms about subscribing to this view.
Has “religious consciousness” overlapped our real conscience?
Conversely, could Abang Jo's message also be a veiled "heads-up" to PM Anwar, urging him to focus more on managing the nation's economy and pay less attention to matters pertaining to religion?
The recent controversy over the introduction of Imam Al-Nawawi's 40 Hadith appreciation module in national schools is one issue that could have been better explained upfront. Incidentally it has also raised another pertinent question; is PM Anwar actually trying to "out-Islamise" his political nemesis PAS so as to neutralise the so-called "green wave" effect?
While at one time Sarawak used to be considered the nation's backwater and often crudely associated with “headhunters”, today it appears to be marching forward confidently with its modernisation program; fully aware that the relocation of Indonesia's capital city to Borneo is bound to open up countless opportunities for the state. Road connectivity is also being addressed with steady progress reported on the construction of the Pan-Borneo Highway.
In fact, politicians in the peninsula would do well not to underestimate those in Sarawak and maybe even Sabah. If anything, many East Malaysians appear farsighted, savvy and sharper in their observation and analysis. They also seem to grasp the political situation in the country better than some in West Malaysia!
Meanwhile, Sarawakians, led by their forward-thinking premier certainly know what they are doing. This may be unlike some in the peninsula who prefer to brag about their popularity and social media prowess instead of focussing their efforts to bring about meaningful development to their states.
Indeed, Abang Jo certainly wasn't boasting when he spoke about Sarawak government's continuous efforts to attract investment from abroad in the energy based industrial sector as well as in digital development, physical infrastructures in the urban and rural areas, human resource, education and the oil and gas sector, including exploring new fields.
He added that all these are aimed at enabling the state's economy to grow faster so that the state's revenue will increase and its people can get jobs with a decent salary.
Certainly, he isn't building “castles in the air” because Sarawak is now deemed to have attained a high income state status by having a gross national income (GNI) per capita of more than US$13,205 (RM61,500) by World Bank standards.
Recently another salvo was fired by one of its senior politicians who is also the federal Minister of Works, Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, when he suggested that Sarawak may even introduce its own currency. He said the measure might be explored if the state's economy is good but the country's economy is not.
However its premier did clarify later that the matter is quite complex - requiring a detailed study - and that they will continue to use the ringgit.
Nevertheless, the very mention of it should have made both the ruling government and the opposition parties in West Malaysia to sit up and take notice. But did it?
Furthermore, in addition to operating its own airlines their leaders have also mooted setting up a state-owned commercial bank to help its small and medium-sized enterprises to meet their financing needs.
It looks like the state government has mapped-out a comprehensive plan for the well-being of all its people so that they don't have to be dependent on anyone.
In fact, you don't have to be a genius to realise that Sarawakian leaders are fed up with all the never-ending political shenanigans in the peninsula which seems to be hindering the country's progress.
Anyway, so far they have been ignoring most of the “noise” coming from across the South China Sea - but for how long?
Perhaps, unless PH-BN and PN declare a political truce and concentrate on governing - while waiting for the next General Elections - we'll never know what the wise folks from the "Land of the Hornbills" may come up with next.
Interestingly, hornbills are believed to bring good luck whenever they fly over our homes. Well, PM Anwar must be gazing longingly at the skies every day from his Putrajaya office; hoping that those beautiful, winged creatures will fly over his home too!
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