Commentary by Mustafa K. Anuar

IN the quest for a better future, separate entities of the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, North Borneo (Sabah) and Sarawak decided to come together as a larger community called Malaysia.

The separate communities finally saw their dream of converging into a new independent nation, with the expectations of progress, peace and prosperity, come to fruition 58 years ago. 

However, Singapore left the independent federation two years after its formation because its dream of a better future did not somewhat gel with that of the larger set of entities.

As a political construct, Malaysia requires deep commitment to nation-building and conscious nurturing of a sense of belonging to this partnership on the part of the communities and their leaders.

In other words, peoples from the various entities find themselves the need to feel and think Malaysian as a way of fostering the much-needed national unity.

As a symbolic act of forging national integration, then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad changed the Malaysian Standard Time – after passing the Malaysian Standard Time Act of 1981 – between the peninsula on one hand and Sabah and Sarawak on the other effective January 1, 1982.

Fostering unity among the peoples of these entities obviously requires more than just standardising the Malaysian time.

It demands mutual understanding, respect and better communication between the peninsula and the two Borneo states, which at the beginning of the formation of Malaysia were considered equal partners to Malaya.

There are obstacles to achieving the unity objective satisfactorily. For one thing, the politics of race and religion, which is prevalent in the peninsula, can be too toxic and divisive for the people of Sabah and Sarawak, who generally celebrate diversity in their society.  

Certain peninsular politicians can be so parochial and bigoted in their mindset that they often tend to disregard the sensitivities and concerns of their brothers and sisters in East Malaysia, especially with regard to religion and race.

Indeed, racial bigotry and religious extremism impede meaningful communication, understanding and respect between peoples of diverse backgrounds.

Race and religion generally intermingle harmoniously in the two Borneo states so that differences and diversity are not easily made convenient political capital by unscrupulous politicians, many of whom are found lurking in the political arena of the peninsula.

Which is why the Malaysian nation may stand to benefit substantially if politicians of high calibre from the two Borneo states are to be appointed to lead ministries of national significance.

For example, the Ministry of National Unity. A Sarawak or Sabah politician of inclusive outlook and positive exposure to diversity in life is cut out for the job.

Similarly, a Borneo politician holding the portfolio of the Education Ministry may well make a significant difference and contribute to the welcoming way schoolchildren look at differences and diversity in society.

The schoolchildren may be more exposed to Sarawak and Sabah peoples and their diverse cultures in the school curriculum as a way of promoting better understanding and appreciation of the other in society.

At the same time, more emphasis should also be given to the cultures of minorities in the peninsula, such as the Orang Asli, so that a sense of belonging to the Malaysian nation is cultivated in a systematic manner in schools.

However, a sense of belonging cannot be fully realised if there are people who feel they have been marginalised or even forgotten.

In particular, Sabah folk have a bone of contention with the federal government, as well as their own leaders, given that their state is one of the poorest in the federation, despite being ironically blessed with natural resources such as oil and gas.  

There is a need for the federal government – in consultation with state leaders – to address the problems associated with unequal level of development in the two Borneo states in the interest of justice and the general welfare of all Malaysians.

To be sure, the current pandemic has also bared the harsh reality of poverty and other forms of economic hardship that have struck Malaysians in the peninsula, irrespective of race and religion. 

Rampant corruption in government and other sectors of society also hampers the overall development of our society, particularly the poorer segments. This unsavoury trend must be arrested. 

While we celebrate Malaysia Day, the dream of a better, progressive and harmonious Malaysia should not be an unrealistic hope, particularly for the needy and those who deserve justice. – September 16, 2021.