Singapore has achieved remarkably without Malaysia's Umno

KOTA KINABALU - “Congratulations is definitely the order of the day on Singapore’s 50th anniversary of Independence and for its achievements. The founding fathers of Singapore ably led by their iconic leader, Lee Kuan Yew, have made Singaporeans proud today,” said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, and wishing Singapore “A VERY HAPPY 50TH INDEPENDENCE” on their historic milestone.

Singapore’s achievements, notably becoming the world’s third highest per capita income nation and a GDP higher than the whole of Malaysia, is remarkable given its lack of natural resources and lack of oil and gas. 

What was more remarkable was that Singapore achieved what it achieved without Malaysia and without UMNO at the forefront of government if compared to “50 TAHUN SABAH MAJU JAYA DALAM MALAYSIA” when Sabah celebrated its 50th Independence Day on 31 August 2013 as Sabahans were led to believe by the Malaysian and Sabah governments, both led by UMNO.

Sabahans and for the matter Sarawakians need to wake up from their trance cast by Umno and the federal government and realize that Sabah can progress and develop better without Umno-led politics. Singapore and Brunei, who opted out of Malaysia at the last minute, are shining examples of progress without Umno. Even Sarawak and its Chief Minister without Umno is better off than Sabah.

While admiring Singapore’s achievements from across the South China Sea, Sabahans cannot help but ponder and rue –

Whether Singapore abandoned Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia when it left or was kicked out of the Federation in 1965? and

What Sabah might have been today if Singapore had helped ensure Sabah and possibly Sarawak left Malaysia together?

Sabah would not have been in its present predicament if Lee Kuan Yew, who was instrumental in getting the Sabah and Sarawak leaders to agree to form Malaysia and coming up with the 20/18-Points as the fundamental basis of merger, had stuck out and looked after the interests of Sabah and Sarawak, at least re-negotiate for new terms on Malaysia for Sabah and Sarawak without Singapore.

“In fact, when I asked Lee Kuan Yew in person, several years ago, what his greatest regret for Sabah was, tears rolled down from his eyes,” said Dr. Jeffrey.

Whatever has happened 50 years for Singapore and coming 52 years for Sabah, it will be confined to their history.

The most important for Sabahans now should be their future and the future of their future generations.

Learning from history and past mistakes, “Should Sabahans continue to rely on Malayan or Umno leaders and Malayan political parties or should we take on that responsibility ourselves and to take the challenge to takeover and manage our own resources and to chart our own future and destiny?”

• Singapore celebrates 50 years of statehood