What colonialism does is cause an identity crisis about one’s own culture. – Lupita Nyong’o, Kenyan-Mexican actress
In Wikipedia, colonialism is defined as “the policy of a nation seeking to extend or retain its authority over other people or territories, generally with the aim of economic dominance. The colonising country seeks to benefit from the colonised country or land mass.”
Basically, colonialism is an unequal relationship of a parasitical nature rather than a symbiotic relationship where all parties benefit from each other.
The Federation of Malaysia was formed with supposedly noble and ideal aims of an equal partnership between the four entities of Sarawak, North Borneo (Sabah), Singapore and Malaya.
Within a short period, some aspect of this partnership unravelled and Singapore was ejected from the Federation of Malaysia (and I am sure they are eternally grateful).
With Singapore out of the way, Malaya became the dominant partner and it increasing usurped the authority of Sarawak and Sabah through various means inclusive of legislative mechanisms and political mechanisations.
The discontent due to the exploitative nature of this relationship has over that few years led to the people of Sarawak and Sabah to realise that in actual context, Sarawak and Sabah were handed by one colonial power (the British) to another (the Federation of Malaya). It was not the partnership as originally envisaged.
Ever since the ‘awakening’ a few years ago in relation to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Sarawakians and Sabahans have been campaigning hard in various forms, formats and platforms to regain their eroded rights and to implement the parts that have never been honoured.
Under both the Barisan National and Pakatan Harapan governments, pledges were made to work towards restoration and implementation of the obligations under MA63.
From the public perspective, nothing concrete and beneficial has actually come out of negotiations, committees and political manifesto promises.
The setting up of the present autonomy-related committees seem to be a delay tactic to be dragged on until the PH government fulfills its dreams of gaining control of the Sarawak legislative assembly.
In the meantime, the erosion of our rights continues unabated.
Now Malayans’ latest attempt to undermine Sarawak is their effort to set up federal/controlled and funded-Village Community Management Councils known as the Majlis Pengurusan Komuniti Kampung (MPKK) to rival the present Village Security and development Committees (JKKKs).
It is an insidious attempt to destabilise Sarawak. There is a relevant saying ‘beware of Greeks bearing gifts’. They are attempting to package it is as something helpful whereas it is actually a Trojan horse.
The claim that MPPKs are for the interest of Sarawak’s rural people and for better dissemination of information and implementation of federal initiatives needs to be taken with a truck full of salt.
There are more than enough federal agencies loitering around in Sarawak via which Malaya can disseminate information.
It has been pointed by many that the PH government has the TV and radio stations under its control to carry out its propaganda.
The PH representatives here very proudly also announced that the federal government contributes RM500 towards community leaders’ monthly RM900 allowance.
Don’t these shameless sycophants realise this is Sarawak’s money in the first place taken from our oil, gas and tax revenues.
The federally-managed MPPK’s will actually take away more autonomy from Sarawak.
It is indeed PH’s fear of a united Sarawak that is fighting hard to reclaim their rights and take back their oils, gas and sea resources that have prompted Putrajaya to weaken Sarawak via the MPPKs.
It is even possible they might adopt a variation of the MPPK model into the towns and cities to act as alternate federally-controlled type ‘local authorities’ to further undermine our long established stability.
The tearing of local communities’ apart is a Malayan trademark and this unnecessary and acrimonious form of destructive politics should not be allowed to take hold here.
The age-old colonial divide and rule approach seems to be going into high gear.
The creation of MPKKs is a blatant power grab disguised and packaged as being a caring and beneficial platform for Sarawakians.
The latest efforts are an attempt to form a parallel PH local government in Sarawak. It is very clear in the constitution that the ‘local government’ is under state purview.
Our Sarawak government must utilise all legal mechanisms at its disposal to stop this.
Ultimately also, it is for Sarawakians to decide if they want to install a Sarawak government that will facilitate the implementation of colonial-style subservient policies and be shackled to the whims and fancies of Malaya.
Sarawakians will need to open their eyes wide before voting. Either vote for Sarawak or colonisation. If it is a vote for colonisation, it will be too late to complain later.
There is a common saying, ‘once bitten, twice shy’ (sekali tersengat terus beringat). In Sarawak’s case it has been bitten and mauled repeatedly.
Remember, the PH leadership has openly declared that their election manifestoes and promises are not binding on them. They are merely words to entice the weak-minded, which I am sure Sarawakians are not!
It is for all Sarawakians to democratically decide the next chapter of their destiny.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the New Sarawak Tribune.
