The Way Forward
With all the bickering going on in the political landscape, it appears that the powers that be have forgotten who will tip the scales in the next General Elections.
Have you read this post called East Malaysia: the REAL Third Force in Malaysian politics by RPK? There he argued that whoever gets to form the next federal government and whether it will be with a simple majority or a two-thirds majority will depend on East Malaysia.
In terms of facts and figures, Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan control a total of 57 parliament seats out of a total of 222 seats which means 165 parliament seats belong Peninsular or West Malaysia are almost equally divided between BN and PR. You can see the breakdown AT THIS LINK. that outlines how PKR started off on a wrong footing in Sabah and Sarawak.
Realistically speaking, BN and PKR have been trying to make a headway in the East Malaysian scene. We are well aware of why BN has won most of the votes. However, PKR can forget about making a headway in East Malaysia for many reasons. Check out THIS LINK that gives quite a detailed explanation from the viewpoint of a Sarawakian.
Many of us who have been following online news portals are well aware of the challenging and pressing issues faced by our East Malaysian brethren but may not be aware of the way some are trying to impose their agenda on them without taking into consideration their background, culture, needs, motivation and so much more.
For far too long, Sabah and Sarawak have not been enjoying the attention or development that they rightly deserve despite making that decision to join Malaysia. Just imagine the indignation they feel with regards to their oil royalty, or the fact that despite being the states with the richest resources, there is much poverty and underdevelopment that persist.
Think of how their resources are being plundered, how the NCR land is being taken away from them including their ancestral land, temuda, pulau galau, pemakai meno etc. How much longer can East Malaysians continue to suffer the effects of controversial dams and charcoal plants? How much longer can they tolerate the manner in which the population ratio is being tipped in favor of foreigners who are given MyKads so easily?
Concerns have been expressed as to how they seem to have lost their 18/20 Points agreements and the older folk who are not connected still think the world of the ruling regime.
Just look at their infrastructure and compare these or what is lacking with the glam shots of socialites in Sarawak Report and I am quite sure your heart may bleed at the injustice of it all.
Honestly, I wish MPs in East Malaysia would rise to the occasion for the people of Malaysia and make that difference in the next General Elections.
I opine that the Sarawakians and Sabahans must rise up and reclaim their land. Currently, many are toothless in terms of fighting for the people. If they offer new leaders of calibre and WIN BIG TIME, this will surely tip the scale of power and BN will no longer be in power. I am well aware that there are many capable Sarawakians and Sabahans who can lead their state governments if only they are given the chance. Even if they are NOT given the chance to do so, by all means, set up your own party somehow and stand for elections!!! Or offer worthy and capable candidates who will fight for the people’s rights and not that of a few persons with their own selfish agenda.
Most sincerely, I appeal to them to truly step forward. The time has come to move forward and with all the fighting that is going on in West Malaysia, it almost seems as though the last vestige of hope is in East Malaysia. And I believe it will happen if they arise and claim back what rightly belongs to them.
