By Chan Foong Hin, State Assemblyman for Sri Tanjong
DAP Sabah reaffirms Parliamentary Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim’s Seven-Point Borneo Plan which was launched at a gathering marking Sarawak’s 51st year of independence in Kuching on 22 July 2014.
It is a historical moment when a federal opposition leader celebrates Sarawak’s 51 years of independence, to show Pakatan Rakyat’s appreciation of Borneo States participation in the formation of Malaysia. There is no Malaysia without Sarawak and Sabah ; and the rich diversity of people, culture and religion of Sarawak and Sabah embodies the very concept of Malaysia as a nation.
DAP Sabah believes the best interests of Sabah and Sarawak can only be pursued with regime change at the federal level, which in turn requires Pakatan Rakyat both as a solid and tenable coalition both at the federal level and in all states, Sabah included. Breaking up Pakatan Rakyat will only strengthen UMNO and embolden their ultra-right proxies like Perkasa and Isma to tear the social fabric of Malaysia further apart, resulting in more divisive acts such as the confiscation of Bibles and Christians-bashing.
Therefore, DAP Sabah will work with other component parties of Pakatan Rakyat Sabah towards a consensual position that puts the interests of Sabah and the integrity of Malaysia above the electoral calculations of any party.
I call upon the top leadership of Pakatan Rakyat to build a procedural consensus on the matter of Hudud based on the Federal Constitution and the 1963 Malaysia Agreement, so that all Malaysians can have full confidence in Pakatan Rakyat as a viable alternative government.
The Seven-Point Borneo Plan outlined by Anwar are:
Point 1
1. In recognition of the spirit of the federal compact signed in 1963 known as the Malaysia Agreement, to:
a. Recognise – in the Federal Constitution, text books and official discourses – Sabah and Sarawak as special states that are equal partners to the Peninsula of Malaysia within the Federation of Malaysia; and
b. Recognise three National Days: August 31 as the Merdeka Day for Malaya and Sabah, July 22 as the Independence Day for Sarawak and September 16 as Malaysia Day – with national celebrations for August 31 and September 16.
Point 2
2. In the spirit of true federalism that values unity in diversity while preserving a cohesive nation, to:
a. Uphold Bahasa Malaysia as the national language unifying all Malaysians regardless of faiths, ethnicity or mother-tongue;
b. Protect the freedom of expression and information in all languages, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, including the use of Allah in the Malay and Iban-language Bibles and other publications; and
c. Establish a television channel for Borneo
Point 3
3. In full recognition of the injustice in the marginalization and poverty suffered by Sarawak and Sabah despite their rich resources, as a result of corruption, nepotism and cronyism by both the Federal and State Governments, bring about the following economic reforms and developments when Pakatan Rakyat forms the new federal and state governments:
a. Federal-state sharing of petroleum wealth and power in Petronas, with
i. a director each from Sarawak, Sabah and all other petroleum-producing states on Petronas’ Board;
ii. the establishment of state-owned second-tiered Oil and Gas company as Petronas’ partners; and
iii. 20% royalty for those states;
b. The abolition of cabotage policy to eliminate the artificial price disparity that burdens the people of Sarawak and Sabah;
c. The construction of a Pan-Borneo highway of comparable quality to those highways in Peninsular Malaysia
d. The supply of electricity and tap water to 90% of households in Sarawak and Sabah
Point 4
4. To correct and prevent the illegal naturalization and enfranchisement of foreigners and the failure in safeguarding the border of Sabah, establish permanent joint Federal-State Commissions in Sarawak and Sabah answerable to both the Federal Parliament and the respective State Assemblies in order to oversee:
a. The naturalization of foreigners in Sarawak and Sabah;
b. The trans-migration of other Malaysians into Sabah and Sarawak; and
c. Border and coastline security in both states
Point 5
To ensure protection of the native communities and environment:
a. Establish State Land Commissions in Sarawak and Sabah, with institutionalized representation from the native communities and answerable to the respective State Assemblies, to administer land especially Native Customary Rights (NCR) lands, undertake surveys, investigate and resolve land disputes; and
b. Establish elected third-tiered governments at city and division level, with the boundaries of rural divisions taking into account socio-cultural boundaries of native communities where possible, to facilitate participatory decision-making and indigenous autonomy.
Point 6
Guided by the spirit of the 1963 Malaysia Agreement, support human resource development in Sarawak and Sabah, with no discrimination on the ground of religion, through:
a. Borneonisation of the state public service in Sarawak and Sabah with transparent and meritocratic recruitment and promotion;
b. Recruitment of more Borneans into the Administrative and Diplomatic Services and appointment of more Borneans as Ambassadors and High Commissioners; and
c. Both scholarships for both Bornean students in general and Bornean native students in particular with no discrimination on the ground of ethnicity and religion
Point 7
7. Establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry to commence a study on the health of federalism in Malaysia within the first year of the new Federal Government and complete it within 3 years, to reform and rejuvenate our federal system before GE15 to better serve the nation and all the states and territories.
