A country is not a mere territory; the particular territory is only its foundation. The country is the idea that rises upon that foundation; it is the sentiment of love, the sense of fellowship that binds together all the sons of that territory.
–Giuseppe Mazzini, Italian activist
We have heard all too often Sarawak’s quest for the restoration of her rights and status under the Malaysia Agreement (MA63). It is healthy and to our interests if this matter is brought up now and again, lest it will be conveniently forgotten.
The status of Sarawak as one of three equal partners and not one of 13 states in the federation of Malaysia were among the key issues which have been highlighted over the past few years.
The late Pehin Sri Tan Sri Adenan Satem who took over as Sarawak’s chief minister in 2017 was the most vocal proponent of MA63 rights which had been eroded over the years. Unfortunately, some of our pre-Merdeka lawmakers have to share the blame too.
Adenan had also wanted Sarawak to be treated as a partner in Malaysia and not just one of its 13 states. In fact, I believe that has somewhat been understood (or even resolved) during Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak’s tenure as prime minister.
I recall our deputy premier Datuk Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian having declared aloud some years ago that “Sarawak was no longer a state” and thus it should not be called “a state”. And rightly so too.
As far as I can recall, the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2021 which was unanimously passed in the Dewan Rakyat on December 14 last year proved that Sarawak has a special status in the federation. I take that to mean Sarawak is no longer considered a mere state in Malaysia.
So, it came as a surprise when Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi suddenly declared that Sarawak was now a “region” and no longer a “state” last Saturday.
It was a statement out of the blue. I’m not sure why Zahid made the statement or whether it was his place to do so. And of all forums – at the Umno assembly.
Any major official announcement on MA63 should either come from the prime minister himself or the minister for Sabah and Sarawak affairs.
Then, another question must be posed. Is Zahid’s announcement an official one from the government?
According to Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, it isn’t. The following day, he said that Sarawak’s status as a region was merely a suggestion by Zahid.
However, he said Sarawak has always recognised itself as a region rather than a state since the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
“From the beginning, we (Sarawak) are indeed a region. And the situation now has changed after 60 years. That’s why we amended the constitution. We are a region. That is also why we changed the chief minister to premier,” Abang Johari added.
But what’s in a name, really for Sarawak? Whether it’s called “state” or “region”, does it really matter? The cynic me will say that it makes no difference if Sarawak continues to be treated like a stepchild by the federal government.
Using a different noun to call Sarawak does not change anything if Sarawak is still being given low priority and less attention or considered an unimportant entity by the Feds.
However, the realist in me will have to declare that there is a whole world of difference between one of 13 states in the federation and a separate territory or equal partner. Sarawak cannot be treated and considered like tiny Perlis anymore.
A region is a separate entity; in this case, there is a possibility for Sarawak to be recognised as one of three equal partners in Malaysia again – as stipulated in the original MA63.
This is what the MA63 negotiations over the past few years is about. Sarawak wants greater autonomy that is due to her as one of three equal partners – nothing more, nothing less.
Sarawak also wishes to move forward to see more fundamental changes on recognising their territorial and economic rights. The same goes for Sabah. The two Borneo territories are like twins in this “deal” we call Malaysia.
I want to believe that there is a general understanding among Sabah and Sarawak leaders that “where Malaysia is concerned, we came in together and if need be, we will leave together”.
As it is now clear that Sabah and Sarawak are no longer “states”, the Malaysian media should stop using the term. For example, stop writing the “Sarawak state government”; just say the “Sarawak government”. There is no more state government, it is a regional or provincial government.
Let me call on my fellow writers, editors and everyone in the media fraternity, whether print, audio, visual or online, to start its official recognition of Sabah and Sarawak as “regions” and no longer “states”.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
