On National Malaysia Day 2024, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged Malaysians to reflect on the struggles and sacrifices of the nation’s founding leaders who paved the way for the country’s formation.
For the new administration under the Madani Government, the call for greater unity is timely. And it also marks a new chapter for a greater growth for Malaysia.
In his speech during Malaysia Day, Anwar emphasized the importance of unity, recalling the contributions of people from all walks of life—regardless of race, religion, or state of origin—who worked together to achieve independence. He reminded Malaysians to rise above outdated ideologies, racial tensions, and hatred to maintain harmony and development.
He also acknowledged the challenges faced by various states and encouraged collaboration, particularly with the leaders of Sabah and Sarawak, to address issues in the spirit of friendship and unity.
“My two friends – the Chief Minister of Sabah and Premier of Sarawak – let us work together, solve issues and correct mistakes as friends,” Anwar said during Malaysia Day, celebrating the formation of Federation of Malaysia between other states on 16th September 2024.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Premier, Abang Johari has expressed his strong support to work together with Federal entities in view of the shared vision and shared prosperity.
However, minority groups in Sarawak are opposing any form of negotiations.
In a recent statement made by the Sarawak Government’s Legal Adviser JC Fong, he highlighted that both Sabah and Sarawak have been engaged in negotiations with Putrajaya for years, with many MA63 issues (and demands are) still unresolved.
“Don’t be dragged down by negotiations (between Federal and the state Government). While discussions may continue, it is essential to explore ways to secure the state’s revenue within the existing legal framework,” he said in a statement published by the Vibe ahead of the Malaysia Day.
The strong push by Sarawak legal adviser is seen as going against the spirit of unity, using MA63 as a reason to spread hate and fear.
It is no doubt that MA63 pose its set of challenges, but research analysts view that Malaysia’s sound economic fundamentals and political stability will ensure the shared resources between states will benefit the country as a whole.
Seen as a joint effort to promote the unity between state and the Federal Government, the Sarawak Premier Abang Johari has given the assurance that Sarawak Petroleum (PETROS) will work closely with national oil company PETRONAS in the future development of gas distribution that will benefit the nation.
According to Channel News Asia, the Sarawak Premier said during Malaysia Day that all matters related to MA63 can be resolved as long as the federal government and the two Borneo state governments can discuss them in the spirit of Malaysia Madani and mutual respect.
This marks a positive progress between two Borneo states and the Federal Government.
Amidst growing MA63 challenges, the recent closed-door meeting which took place during Malaysia Day showed that the Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is making the right moves to ensure the unity between the Borneo states stay intact.
Anwar said “They (leaders of Sarawak and Sabah) have expressed their concerns and demands (of the MA63), but always in the spirit of collaboration to advance our beloved Malaysia. I hope other leaders will draw inspiration from the spirit they have demonstrated.”
Meanwhile, Sabah’s Chief Minister, Hajiji equally expressed his gratitude to Mr Anwar and the federal government who have worked hard to defend Sabah’s rights and sovereignty in foreign courts. He further added that Sabah will continue to defend the sovereignty of the state as part of a territory in the Federation of Malaysia.
As Malaysians, we ought to experience that the country’s social fabric has evolved, mainly through inter-state marriages and assimilation between people living in the Peninsular states and Borneo, coupled by rapid urban economic migration of Sarawakians and Sabahans who are now living in KL and Selangor to capture greater growth opportunities. This level of unity and economic growth are both beneficial for less-developed states and the growing voices of anti-federalism by Sarawakian minority groups should not be raised as an issue during the Malaysia Day.
The spirit of unity championed by the Sarawak Premier Abang Johari brought back what is needed for Malaysia to prosper under the new Madani Government, led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
“We don’t need are voices by the likes of Sarawak Legal Adviser JC Fong or unsolicited moves the Sarawak Liberation Movement (SLM) to grow the anger of disunity against the Federal Government”, said a political observer.
This growing anti-federalism and riding the endless demand of the Malaysia Agreement (MA63) has very little value to the spirit of unity and the concept of shared wealth and prosperity that all Malaysians have been enjoying regardless or race and religion.
In a Facebook post by Thomas HY Kiew, Sarawak Liberation Movement claimed that Malaya is the originator of the MA63 international agreement, illegally colonizing Sabah in Sarawak and doing everything it can to plunder and devour sand resources.
As the future success of Malaysia hinges on common values, and shared vision, state and federal leaders should not be derailed by minority groups or voices. We as a nation, must find ways to work together to unlock the potential our existing resources to benefit every Malaysian.
Forget about Sarawak for Sarawakians, or Sabah for Sabahans. Malaysia’s success in the past 60+ years was never without challenges, but its foundation is backed by a united teamwork of Malaysians across various states with strong spirit of nation building.
There is only one nation that we should care about, and it is Malaysia.
