Lim Teck Ghee, Murray Hunter and Carolyn Khor
For years there
has been talk of a ‘third force’ to radically change the nature of politics and
government in Malaysia. The noble objectives included unity, opportunity and
socio - economic growth, while avoiding race, religious, and geographical
divisions. Although these principles have some general support, attempts of
launching new parties have come and gone, leaving the race-based Semenanjung
dominant party status quo intact and unchallenged.
Malaysia is
losing its competitive position in the region. The economy is not evolving in a
way to structurally prepare for the future, and the wellbeing of the Rakyat is
deteriorating. These are undeniable truths which the great majority of
Malaysians from all races and sides of the political divide are in agreement.
The government
needs to be run by people, with a clear intent of being for the people, and
driven by a vision of a Malaysia that can evolve and cement an inclusive and
cohesive nationhood that all citizens will be proud of.
This emergence
can come from the political leadership of East Malaysia, who have repeatedly
shown they are capable of transcending the race and religion divide. East
Malaysian leadership can lead the change towards a new generation of younger
leaders, with new ideas for policy development, with implementation by people
who care about what happens.
The political
leaders of Sabah and Sarawak have long governed with philosophies very
different from what Malaysians have experienced in Semenanjung. Adenan Satem
stands out as the role model for a new united Malaysia but unfortunately he was
not able to complete his mission with his early demise.
The East
Malaysian people have a sense of nationalism that others in Semenanjung have
lost to other narratives. These narratives are perpetually causing division and
regression, at the cost of cohesion and advancement.
Many in Sabah
and Sarawak also have a sense of patriotism which has withstood the test of
MA63, the unequal relationship of the three component states of the federation,
their status as stepchildren in budget and development allocations, and the
numerous other ways in which they have been discriminated against by
Semenanjung dominant coalition governments.
Frankly, it’s
time to look east to Sabah and Sarawak and for the Semananjung dominant
political pundits to stop ignoring what is happening in the other half of
Malaysia. It is time to take their principles, culture and lessons and
incorporate them into an administration and government that governs for all
Malaysians.
The East
Malaysian political leadership can unite and nurture Malaysia towards maturity
and new hope. This is not to underestimate the challenge as society, economics,
and politics of Sabah and Sarawak are also diverse, and there has never been a
strong and resilient Borneo perspective. However, both territories have enough
in common to provide a fresh look at where Malaysia should go. And this can
begin with GE16.
There are two
basic strategies for this possibility to be rolled out and achieved.
- Create a movement in Semenanjung and Sabah and Sarawak with local citizens, activists, and politicians.
- Work with a bloc of existing
parties in a coalition (a reverse takeover of the unity government). This
would mean East Malaysia parties with Semenanjung partners becoming
the largest bloc in parliament after the next election and leading a new
government.
It is indeed very possible for East Malaysia as a bloc to be
the largest grouping in the next sitting parliament after the GE. The
East Malaysian bloc will not just be the kingmaker in the next election, it can
take the leadership.
Besides being
established partners of past BN governments and the present Unity Government,
coalitions such as GPS and GRS would fare even better if they continue to
engage and form alliances with one another to present themselves as a united
East Malaysian front in preparation for the next election.
This is so that,
in the event, talks between PH and UMNO break down in the future, the East
Malaysian bloc may continue to push for inclusive policies, including MA63 and
other policies, and in doing so, become the stabilising and positive factor in
the fractured political landscape that is likely to emerge after GE16.
With 56 seats up for grabs in the next election, and perhaps more
seats after the delineation exercise, GPS and GRS may safely hold at least 30
seats and may even be in a position to add more to their new partnership.
Should the delineation exercise result in expanding East Malaysia’s
parliamentary representation to at least 1/3 of the total parliament seats,
this will greatly increase East Malaysia’s weight and participation in the
country’s na
It is evident that East Malaysian MPs have more gumption when it
comes to matters related to racial and religious issues. In contrast,
Semenanjung parties are either too emotionally and financially invested to
think straight or are just trying to score political points by fanning matters
and issues to the extreme. The issue of using only Bahasa Melayu for
communication with government departments was promptly shot down by Sarawak
Premier Abang Jo. Similarly, the UEC has been accepted by the Sarawak government
since 2014, whereas this remains a contentious matter on the peninsula. Other
than that, Tiong King Sing regularly stands his ground when he broaches issues
that no other non-Muslim MPs dare to talk about.
Looking at the political situation today, Semenanjung parties are
all established and have little room left for improvement. This is especially
the case, ever since reforms have taken a backseat to compromises and
power-brokering, and procuring a larger slice of the political cake.
That being the case, smaller parties on the Peninsula should also
form alliances with Borneo parties such as Warisan. Although Warisan’s attempt
to enter the peninsula fizzled out during the last election, it would be
beneficial if there is communication between Warisan and all the smaller
parties of the peninsula, such as PSM, PRM, Muda, Gerak Independent and the
Green Party as soon as possible. This can be the foundation for strategically
engaging other coalitions further down the road.
Some independent observers are forecasting that there will most
likely be a hung parliament after the next GE, similarly to GE14. Should this
happen, there is opportunity for existing blocs to realign with a East
Malaysian grouping leading to potentially more than a new coalition government.
This bloc, led by East Malaysia parties and including parties based in the Semenanjung, can
reignite reformasi and lead to a new type of politics.
Malaysians from all communities are sick and tired of the same-old,
same-old polemics of the past, and GE16 is the time to get it right. If the
existing Unity Government needs a push in the right direction, it can only be
achievable if the East Malaysian bloc unites and 'serbu' (charges into) West
Malaysia to keep the old guard on their toes.
We are confident that many voters will agree with the above premise.
We recognise that some will see it as improbable or will scoff at the idea of
an East Malaysian party bloc leading a future coalition. The pundits may
dismiss or disregard the above proposition, but can they present a better
alternative?
There is an urgent need for a new unity in the country. This can be
shaped by the outcome of GE16. The east wind can be the transformative
catalyst.
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first of three parts
Lim Teck Ghee is a former senior official with the United Nations
and World Bank. Murray Hunter is an independent researcher and former professor
with the Prince of Songkla University and Universiti Perlis. Carolyn Khor is a
former ministerial press secretary, a former United Nations Volunteer and an
independent researcher/writer.