50 Years in Malaysia = Many Sabah Sarawak Squatters & Coolies

We often cite Sabah as the poorest state of "Malaysia" but we need to emphasize that over 40% of Malaysia's poor are in Sabah! Sarawak hovers around behind Sabah.

This is the shocking part of the promised "security and prosperity" in Malaysia. There must be a massive amount of inhuman misery and suffering around.

This news was first published in Nov. 2010 (see news). The figures won't have changed miraculously in Malaysia... the promised land of "security and prosperity".

The article does not explain that poverty did not just happen because of lack of education or opportunities.

It does not explain that poverty is an outcome of colonisation and apartheid policies, land seizures, neglect, corruption and plunder. In fact colonialism is based on maximizing profits- it is logical to keep workers underpaid and deprived of their human rights. Checkout the oil palm plantations.

The trillions in wealth drained from Sabah and Sarawak resources and inequitable taxes by Malaya would have lifted the standard and quality of life for the majority if this had been properly applied in the 2 countries.

But we know all that went to develop Malaya and its 11 states and swell the ruling elites' bank accounts.

We got "given back" 5% didn't we?

May be as Black 16 September approaches it is worthwhile to remind urbanites who are more well off than that 40% of what 50 years of Malaysia had done to Sabah (and Sarawak). How we became squatters and coolies in our own country.

Letter to the Editor