DESPITE the recent constitutional amendments to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), the relationship between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak reveals undercurrents of discontent.
Which begs the question: What is the best political formula to address and resolve the problems arising from federalism?
As they say, “There is no smoke without fire”.
The constitutional amendments to MA63 are mere appetisers for things to unfold. In fact, the amendments seem to have hardly soothed the feelings and sentiments of those political establishments in Sabah and Sarawak.
There might be difference in degree of their articulation, but the message is the same. In other words, more rights and privileges for Sabah and Sarawak.
In fact, there are currently suggestions to replace the MA63 with a new agreement, with some even suggesting the passing of a supplementary agreement to complement the existing MA63.
Whether a new agreement or a supplementary agreement is sufficient to address the growing regional needs of Sabah and Sarawak remains to be seen.
If the ‘elephant’ is the MA63, then I don’t understand how a supplementary agreement would be able to address the problem.
Even if there is a justifiable need for a completely new agreement, there is also a need for elaboration as to why it is needed.
It is understandable that there’s plenty of water under the bridge following the conclusion of the Malaysia agreement in 1963.
Two principal parties – Britain and Singapore – are no more, leaving only three, namely Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
It makes sense to revisit the MA64 to ascertain its relevance in the light of the present demands from Sabah or Sarawak.
The revenue from oil and gas extraction has not been equitably shared with the territories.
Whether the old agreement should be continued, or new agreement comes into place or there is need for a supplemental agreement, it must be seen in the larger context of new demands from these two territories.
Someone suggested that there should be a referendum to determine exactly what the people in these territories want.
It is a good democratic suggestion, but an idealistic one that cannot be implemented.
Such suggestion pays no respect to the elected representatives from these two territories who are representing the collective spirit.
Unless of course, it can be proved that they are unrepresentative of the people in these territories.
A new agreement might make sense taking into account the vast changes that have occurred after nearly 60 years of federalism.
A new agreement might be able to get rid of the old and archaic clauses and replace them with new and more dynamic ones.
The absence of the earlier parties and the passage of time might not be sufficient reasons as to why there is need for a new agreement.
However, to date, the main reasons for a new agreement have yet to be spelled out in detail.
It is clear that the much-awaited amendments to the MA63 have not reduced the demands of Sabah or Sarawak – in fact, there is a clamour for more.
Nearly 60 years subordination of Sabah and Sarawak to Peninsular Malaysia has brought forth plenty of anger and frustration.
There is need for an array of wide-ranging political mechanisms to deliver the two territories from sliding into state of hopelessness and despair.
The amendments to MA63 have merely sought to rekindle and rejuvenate the thoughts of how to overcome nearly six decades of internal colonialism.
The federation might have given the two territories a semblance of identity but such an identity alone is not sufficient to address and resolve the myriad problems.
The damage was done by the earlier government leaders who treated Sabah and Sarawak as mere appendages of Peninsular Malaysia rather than equal entities.
Recognition of their equal status is not enough and something must be done seriously to address the deteriorating federal relationship between Peninsular Malaysia and the other two territories.
There are realisations on the part of governing elites in these two territories that they cannot be used and manipulated for political reasons.
The demand for a new political formula is much about the awakened status of Sabah and Sarawak. Gone are the days when identity cards can be illegally issued to garner political support as was the case in Sabah.
The idea of establishing peninsular racial and religious parties might not work under the present changed circumstances and might just accelerate the process of division further.
Whether it is going to be new agreement or supplemental one or even a referendum, the cart must not be placed before the horse.
What is needed is to spell out the unfulfilled demands of these two territories before a political formula could be articulated. – July 14, 2022
Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is the state assemblyperson for Perai. He is also deputy chief minister II of Penang.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
