We have true power when we support each other.
— Bert McCoy, teacher and writer
It is almost a foregone conclusion that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), being the largest party in the Borneo bloc, will be given the coveted Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) position.
This preceded the results of the 15th general election (GE15) with major coalitions such as Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) making it part of their election pledge.
Now that both BN and PH are in the same government, there is political will for their pledge to be realised.
If it happens, it will be a milestone in the country’s history that an East Malaysian politician occupies the second highest post in the federal government.
Indeed, there are many incidents that have led to this moment — the fall of BN in previous GE, the rise of state nationalism and Borneo factions as well as the overwhelming sentiments particularly in the recent Sarawak state election.
The people of Sarawak in the last state polls have made it clear that they want better representation for the state through GPS, giving it a mandate to chart Sarawak’s future and return of equal status in the federation.
A DPM post would be key to realising their aspirations and would continue the restoration of eroded state rights after the foundation was laid through the constitutional amendment to recognise the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Against the background of the GE15 results, political stability remains a concern with none of the contesting parties able to inch towards forming a government with a simple majority.
In context, this made the Sarawak state election results whereby GPS secured 76 out of 82 seats even more pertinent whereby there is an overwhelming trust among the people and the call for stability.
This is something that the federal unity government and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim could not overlook.
It has to give Sarawak, and by extension, the East Malaysian states its due, by way of a strong representation in the federal government.
Under Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, there is unity and shared vision by the Borneo states.
Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has indicated that it is willing to work with GPS for the interest of people in both states when it gave its nod for GPS to lead Sarawak and Sabah in terms of its choice of federal government.
In GE15, there have been calls by the people of Sabah for the state to emulate Sarawak in terms of its approach towards asserting its position in Malaysia through restoration of the MA63 rights and economic development.
Sarawak recently tabled its State Budget whereby it recorded a projected revenue of RM11 billion next year — a first in its history.
This was made possible by the policies of the Sarawak government through its revenue re-engineering methods. Sarawak was the first to impose a 5 percent State Sales Tax (SST) on petroleum products.
It also set up its own oil and gas company, Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) which is now the third largest in the country after Petronas and Shell. No doubt, Sabah also wants this.
Sabah has followed in the footsteps of Sarawak in imposing SST and definitely will heed calls from its people to emulate Sarawak in other areas as well.
A DPM from the East Malaysian states will be a source of pride and perhaps, pave the way for larger influence of Borneo states in the nation’s administration.
However, for this to materialise, the position should not be relegated to merely ceremonial in its functions.
It has to come with actual powers — this has been stressed by Abang Johari. Power in the sense that it is able to bring meaningful change to Sarawak and Sabah after so long.
As the Premier also reiterated on Thursday night, the priority is for Putrajaya to fulfill the rights of Sarawak and Sabah in the MA63 and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report.
Whether this will be realised through the allocation of a DPM post to the Borneo states, a particular Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Ministry to look into these rights or a MA63 Special Council, the ball is in the prime minister’s court.
When Anwar announced his Cabinet line-up yesterday afternoon, one way or the other, he has the backing of Sarawak and Sabah for his unity government.
It is only right for him to reciprocate.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
