Letter to the Editor
By Prof Datuk Dr Jayum Jawan
On September 16, Malaysians of all walks of life will celebrate the 63rd year of the formation of the Federation of Malaysia. Overall, many accomplishments have been achieved. For example, the North-South Highway in Peninsular Malaysia and the Pan-Borneo Highway in East Malaysia have been built, although at different times. They connect far-flung and rural communities.
With better air travel, Malaysia is also becoming a tourist destination. The Peninsular, Sarawak, and Sabah offer many places of historical significance and relaxation. Sabah is known for its beautiful beaches, and so are certain parts of the eastern coast of the Peninsular. Sarawak also has the Gunung Mulu National Park as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Sabah and Sarawak have emerged from the backwater regions they were in the 1950s and 1960s, before Malaysia’s formation in 1963. Part of this progress is due to Malaysia, and partly to the vision and strategic management of the two regions by its leaders. Both regions are plural. No one ethnic group dominates as in the Peninsula. Thus, stronger inter-ethnic cooperation is needed to sustain a stable government that benefits all peoples and regions within both States.
Politically, Sabah and Sarawak are unique in that most major ethnic groups have led both States. Generally, ethnic and religious relations in Sabah and Sarawak are good. People from different religions and cultures mix closely, shaped by community living and shared experiences in schools and workplaces.
There is also a strong tradition of inter-ethnic and inter-religious marriages. Thus, it is not uncommon to see Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, and people of other religions sitting at one table for meals during Gawai Dayak, Christmas, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, and other holidays. Each respects each other’s boundaries in terms of ethnicity and religion.
In the spirit of Malaysia, it is hoped that these States and their plural and harmonious lifestyle will be examples that the Malays, Chinese, and Indians in Peninsular Malaysia could learn from to live politically, socially, and economically harmoniously.
Malays form the national majority; that fact cannot be denied. But power comes with responsibility. As in Malaya, Sabah, and Sarawak, a chief minister or premier leads all communities within the respective state. That differs from being a community leader appointed directly for a single community.
What better time to look at a reset than after 63 years, and find ways and means for Malaysians to be more united and move forward together?
The second prime minister, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, was once quoted as saying that unity is important to focus all energy on development.
Prof Datuk Dr Jayum Jawan is currently a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia and at the Institution of Malay Rulers Chair at UiTM, as well as an Adjunct Professor with the Institute of Borneo Studies at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas).
This is the personal opinion of the author(s) and does not necessarily represent the views of DayakDaily. Letters to the Editor may be lightly edited for clarity.
— DayakDaily
