By former Petagas assemblyman Datuk James Ligunjang
KOTA KINABALU: The political landscape in Malaysia has undergone significant transformations since the formation of the nation in 1963. A pivotal moment occurred on May 1, 1973, when Barisan Nasional (BN) was established, bringing together several political parties, including those from Sabah and Sarawak, into a ruling coalition.
This alignment marked a shift from a government-to-government relationship, governed by the principles outlined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), to a political relationship largely driven by the interests of Malayan parties.
Prior to the establishment of BN, Sabah and Sarawak maintained a distinct political autonomy that was largely respected under MA63. The agreement, which facilitated the formation of Malaysia, was designed to protect the rights and interests of these two states. It emphasised the importance of a cooperative relationship based on mutual respect and understanding, allowing Sabah and Sarawak to retain control over their governance and resources.
During this period, the relationship between the federal government and the state governments was fundamentally collaborative, reflecting the spirit of independence and partnership that characterised the formation of the federation.
With the inclusion of Sabah and Sarawak in political coalitions dominated by Malayan parties, the dynamics began to change.
The shift from a purely governmental framework to one influenced heavily by political patronage and the interests of Malayan political parties risked diluting the rights, needs, and aspirations of the Bornean states.
The prioritisation of political survival of Malayan parties and electoral strategy often led to compromises that undermined the original intent of MA63 and marginalised the voices of Sabah and Sarawak.
The consequences of this coalition have been profound. Instead of advancing their interests and safeguarding their rights as stipulated in MA63, the political alignment with Malayan parties has often placed Sabah and Sarawak in a critical bind, forcing them to conform to political currents originating from the Malayan States.
This dependence on Malayan parties fostered an environment where the specific needs and concerns of Sabah and Sarawak were not properly addressed, leading to a sense of disillusionment and frustration among the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
The lack of genuine representation in a coalition primarily driven by Malayan political agendas resulted in a misalignment of priorities. Issues such as resource allocation provided in Article 112C and Article 112D in Part VI of the Tenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution, infrastructure development, and socio-economic advancement did not receive the attention they warranted, further exacerbating the disparities between Bornean states and the rest of the nation.
In view of these challenges, there is an urgent need for a paradigm shift in the political relationship between Sabah, Sarawak, and the federal government. A return to a government-to-government framework, firmly rooted in the principles of MA63, is critical to rebuilding trust and ensuring that the unique aspirations of the Bornean states are prioritised.
This shift should involve renewed dialogues and commitments to honour the terms of the agreement contained in the Inter-Governmental Report that realised the formation of the Federation of Malaysia, reinforcing the rights and autonomy of the Bornean states.
While political coalitions such as PH and PN can provide stability and unity, the experiences of Sabah and Sarawak within the BN framework highlight the risks inherent in such alignments when foundational agreements are undermined. To preserve the integrity and autonomy of Sabah and Sarawak, it is important to realign the political relationship towards a more equitable and respectful government-to-government approach, as envisioned in MA63.There should be no involvement of Malayan parties in the political process of Sabah and Sarawak. Only then can the true spirit of collaboration that formed the Federation of Malaysia be realised, fostering a brighter future for all its constituent states.
