PUTRAJAYA must acknowledge its failure in uniting the federation as many Sabahans and Sarawakians have sought refugee status in Australia, said Borneo rights activist Lina Soo.
Soo, who is also president of the State Reform Party (Star), said 33,000 Malaysians reportedly sought refugee status in Australia – majority of them from Sarawak and Sabah – because they were fleeing a “failed federation”.
“Does Putrajaya have the answers why have so many young Malaysians fled their country to be refugees in Australia or are they like the proverbial ostrich that chooses to bury its head in the sand?” said Soo, whose party is seeking a fully autonomous Sarawak.
She said Putrajaya’s promises to convince Sarawakians and Sabahans to give up their independence and right for self-determination in return for peace and prosperity have rung hollow.
It has also left them with hopelessness and despair, she added.
She was referring to recent remarks by Australian High Commissioner Andrew Goledzinowski that Malaysians form the largest group of people from one country who have filed for refugee status in his country.
She said the failure by the federal government to fulfil the promises of a secular multicultural union, autonomy and religious freedom, development, social progress and prosperity in the 56 years of the federation, have taken their toll on the young people of Sarawak and Sabah.
The two territories, she said, had been confirmed by the World Bank as the two poorest states of the federation.
She also cited recent United Nations reports that poverty in Sarawak is higher than the national average with critical human rights issues such as healthcare, education, statelessness, land rights woes and other social development concerns.
An independent researcher also revealed that Sarawak has seven – Pakan, Lubok Antu, Song, Kanowit, Selangau, Simunjan and Daro – of the top 10 poorest districts in Malaysia. – August 29, 2019.
Comments
Posted 4 years ago by It's me GR · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by K Pop · Reply
Don't make fun of that notion; Indonesia is progressing leaps and bounds under Jokowi, and they will overtake Malaysia in many ways.
Ta apa - you terus tersenggih je la
Posted 4 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Elyse Gim · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Vincent Chan · Reply