TWO renown Bornean activists have slammed reformist Pakatan Harapan (PH) for having appeared complicit in exploitations that they once vowed to end.
Sabah activist Atama Katama has taken DAP to task “for raising troubling questions” over allegations of corruption surrounding mining licenses in Sabah while questioning whether the PH coalition which is the driving force behind the Madani government “is truly committed to integrity or if their actions are mere political theatre”.
“On Nov 11, in the wake of the Sabah mining license scandal, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng was quick to act, positioning himself as a defender of justice to bring the issue to Parliament,” recalled Sabah Defender of Ancestral Lands (MOPOT) president Atama Katama.
“While efforts to support whistleblowers are commendable, the timing and focus of this intervention prompt us to ask the DAP lawmaker how this information was obtained and is this a genuine pursuit of justice or political manoeuvring?”
In a related development, Katama also questioned DAP’s position in Sabah’s GRS (Gabungan Rakyat Sabah) -led state government given the alleged mining scandal involved several Sabah state assemblymen.
“DAP Sabah has been asked to reconsider its role in the GRS coalition with the party leadership emphasising a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption,” noted Katama who is also the permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) for Dayak International Organisation.
“While this stance is welcome, the indecision over remaining in the coalition reflects internal contradictions that need resolution.”
On a bigger picture, Katama also raised concerns over the silence of Parti Malaya or political parties from Peninsular Malaysia on issues central to Sabah’s welfare, namely environmental degradation, the displacement of indigenous communities and unchecked corporate control of our lands.
“Large-scale oil palm plantations, often linked to multinational corporations, continue to monopolise Sabah’s resources. These activities not only harm our environment but also erode the rights and livelihoods of local communities,” he lamented.
“It is disappointing that parties known for advocating justice and reform in Peninsular Malaysia remain silent on these issues in Sabah. The alliances with corporate interests seem to outweigh their commitment to the people of Borneo. This is not just a failure of policy but a betrayal of trust.”
In this regard, Sarawakian activist Peter John Jaban has stood in solidarity with Katama by stating that Borneans “are not blind to these injustices”.
“The Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) promised equality and respect for Sabah and Sarawak yet we remain sidelined, our resources exploited and our voices ignored,” asserted Jaban who is also the Malaysian Action for Justice and Unity (MAJU) co-founder.
“Our forests and rivers are not for sale nor are the rights of our people. The time has come to rise, be united and demand justice for the land and the future we hold dear.”
Added Jaban: “We recognise the need to reclaim our power and protect our resources from exploitation. This struggle is not just about political autonomy – it is about the survival of our communities, our environment and our heritage. “– Dec 12, 2024
