Signing Commemorative Agreement meaningless - Dr Jeffery

KOTA KINABALU - “What is the purpose and objective of signing an agreement to commemorate the birth of Malaysia this coming September, 16?  The Umno-led federal and Sabah governments should stop hoodwinking Sabahans and treat them as fools,” said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, responding on the intending signing of the commemorative agreement on 16th September at Kota Kinabalu by PM Najib with the Chief Ministers of Sabah and Sarawak.

As it is, Sabahans and Sarawakians are dissatisfied and unhappy about the non-compliance of the basis of the formation of Malaysia and the down-grading of Sabah and Sarawak as the 12th and 13th States of Malaya masquerading as the Federation of Malaysia.

The discontentment is growing and simmering to the extent that many want Malaysia to be dissolved and Sabah and Sarawak to opt out. In fact, some are now even saying “kick” Malaya out of Malaysia and let it revert back to “Tanah Melayu” as wished for by Malay ultras and racists and condoned by Umno.

Sabah and Sarawak should not and ought not to be treated as colonies of Malaya.

Treating Malaysia as if it is “Tanah Melayu” will be the federal government and Umno’s biggest mistake which will eventually precipitate and cause the break-up of the Federation. 

Umno’s support and the PM’s condoning of the “Himpunan Maruah Melayu” with participation by Umno members will only push the movement for racial division and lead to break-up of Malaysia.

Federal and Umno leaders including those from Sabah need to realize that the foresight and warning of Sir William Goode, the last British Governor of North Borneo, to Tunku Abdul Rahman before the formation of Malaysia was not without any basis.   He foretold:-

..."Tunku must avoid “taking over” the Borneo territories as colonies. Any impression of being transferred as colonies from Britain to Malaya will provoke a Merdeka (independence) movement against Kuala Lumpur – potentially irresistible."

“What should rightfully be done on this September, 16, should be for the Prime Minister to initiate handover of full autonomy to Sabah and Sarawak?”  

Signing a commemorative agreement to mark the birth of Malaysia is meaningless.

Making empty promises of handing over full autonomy without putting it into action is also meaningless.

If Najib wish to continue as the PM of Malaysia, he should start the process of devolution of full autonomy with eventual withdrawal of Umno from Sabah and honour the basis of the formation of Malaysia and restore Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners.   If not, his support from Sabah and Sarawak will start evaporating just like the evaporating loss of support in Umno and Malaya.