By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Jan 29: Viewed with a heavy heart, Works Minister and Kapit MP Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi suggested that the endless quarrels and bickering in Peninsular Malaysia have become so pervasive that perhaps Sarawak and the rest of the country were “never meant to be one nation”, separated by the South China Sea for a reason.
Speaking on The Breakfast Grille with Wong Shou Ning on BFM 89.9 today, Nanta said Peninsular Malaysia has much to learn from the Sarawak Formula, an approach to governance credited to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg that prioritises racial and religious harmony alongside development.
“Before you learn the formula, you must understand the personality of our Premier. He’s very down to earth, visionary, and he doesn’t mince his words. He says things sincerely and does things sincerely. He understands how to keep harmony among Sarawak’s multicultural, multi-ethnic communities,” he said.
Despite Sarawak’s complex demographics, where Dayaks and Chinese make up about 70 per cent of the population while Malays account for roughly 30 per cent, Nanta pointed out that Abang Johari has solid support across ethnic and religious lines.
He traced this inclusivity back to earlier leadership, noting that from the era of former chief minister Dato Sri Tawi Sli in the 1960s, Sarawak was led by Muslim Malay and Melanau leaders without triggering racial conflict.
“Former chief minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem later made it very clear that there should be no problems because of race and religion. So much so, he said nobody is a ‘pendatang’, which was to reassure the Chinese community,” Nanta said, adding that Abang Johari has since taken this further.
Concrete policies under the Sarawak Formula include the establishment of Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) to support non-Muslim communities, targeted regional development through agencies such as RECODA, and focused rural uplift programmes.
“Religion is important. Race is important. Language is important. We discuss these things. But we solve the problem in harmony. So we don’t have to argue,” he said.
Drawing a stark contrast with the political climate in Peninsular Malaysia, Nanta was blunt. “You should learn from us. Over here, you quarrel about everything. I’m forced to feel this way, I’m sorry to say,” he said. “Looking at what’s happening on the mainland, maybe we were never meant to be one nation in the first place. That’s why God separated us by the South China Sea.”
Against this backdrop, Nanta, who is also the secretary-general of both Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and its coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), also reaffirmed Sarawak’s State-first approach, stressing that growing autonomy does not mean undermining the federal government.
“We are not thinking of taking lock, stock and barrel for everything. We just want to have a say, because we want to tailor policies to our needs,” he said.
On the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Nanta acknowledged progress but said key issues remain unresolved, particularly oil and gas rights involving Sarawak-owned Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS).
“We want control over oil and gas. PETRONAS shouldn’t be too worried. We’re not going to hurt PETRONAS purposely. Why should we want to kill off PETRONAS?” he said, adding that negotiations, not court battles, are the preferred route.
Pressed on whether Sarawak would assume exploration risks, he said the State is open to compromise. “We never say we don’t want, but we are prepared to negotiate which aspects should be left with the national company and which should be ours. We know what we want. We know what we need.”
Nanta also warned that prolonged legal disputes could inflame sentiments. “I hope, as a Malaysian, we don’t have to go through this court case. The implications can be complicated. If the decision doesn’t make Sarawak happy, what happens?” he asked.
Asked directly whether Sarawak could ever break away from Malaysia, Nanta was firm but restrained. “I’m not going to say that drastically. My grandfather, Tun Jugah, signed the Malaysian Agreement for Sarawak. As his descendant, I’m duty-bound to protect Malaysia,” he said.
“I love Malaysia. But when it comes to Sarawak, I’ll be with the Premier and the leaders in Sarawak. I’m a Sarawakian. Sarawak first in this matter.”
Still, he stressed that Sarawak has always stood by the nation. “Even before Malaysia existed, Dayaks and Malays from Sarawak volunteered to fight alongside our friends in Malaya. Sarawak will always play its part in national interests,” he said.
Despite his sharp criticism, Nanta said he still hopes for a united, progressive Malaysia. “I want Malaysia to go on as Malaysia (where) people living in harmony. Is it too much to ask? But I’m worried. If we continue to quarrel over everything, then don’t blame Sarawakians. You don’t like us, just divorce us. Forget it.”
He concluded by echoing Abang Johari’s message: “We don’t want to waste our time on bickering. That is what Abang Jo’s mission… he assured every Sarawakian that our duty is to progress Sarawak so that the people here can live a better life in the future.”
