By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Jan 30: Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi’s recent remark suggesting that Sarawak was “never meant to be in Malaysia” reflect growing frustration and disappointment among Borneo leaders over persistent federal-level bickering and the handling of key issues affecting Sarawak and Sabah.
In stating this, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Info chief Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said such comment coming from a descendant of Tun Jugah, a signatory to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), should be taken seriously by federal leaders.
“I have also read and heard Dato Sri Alexander’s complaints about the ongoing bickering and the issues that arise, which leave those of us in Borneo feeling worried. We want to see a peaceful Malaysia. We want to see a Malaysia that is progressive.
“This is how many Sarawakians feel when they look at the situation in Peninsular Malaysia. And we hope that the leaders in Peninsular Malaysia can manage their emotions a little, handle matters a little better, so that we do not appear divided,” he said when responding to a reporter’s query on the matter during a press conference held at Baitul Makmur 2 today.
Abdul Karim, who serves as the Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and Sarawak Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, further linked the remarks to the ongoing dispute over Sarawak’s oil and gas rights, including Petroliam Nasional Berhad’s (PETRONAS) move to seek legal clarity in the Federal Court.
“We have discussed, discussed and discussed. Both the federal government and the State government sent their teams to sit down and discuss, and certain things were agreed upon
“If there is a problem, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg can sit down. There is nothing that cannot be resolved,” he explained.
However, he questioned why PETRONAS proceeded with legal action, suggesting it could not have happened without the Prime Minister’s approval.
“PETRONAS reports only to the Prime Minister. Personally, I don’t think PETRONAS would dare to file this without his blessing. If so, what happened to the earlier arrangement to settle matters amicably?” he asked.
Abdul Karim also expressed concern over statements by the law minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said claiming that MA63 does not touch on oil and gas, especially while the matter is still before the courts.
“When a law minister makes such a statement while the case is pending, is that not trying to influence the court? Is it sub judice? This is what makes Sarawakians feel ‘kurang senang’ (unease),” he said.
He warned that taking the dispute to court would not resolve underlying tensions, regardless of the outcome.
“If it is in our favour, we will be happy. If it is not, do you think Sarawakians will be happy? No. Either way, it will not solve the problem,” he said.
Abdul Karim stressed that in federal systems around the world, disputes between federal and state governments are typically resolved through negotiation rather than litigation.
“In any federalism whether in Australia, Canada or Malaysia, if there is a dispute, you settle it amicably. You send delegations, you sit down and talk,” he said.
He said the current approach risks deepening feelings of frustration, insecurity and lack of trust in Sarawak and Sabah.
“This is what worries us. This is something the prime minister must listen to and must see seriously,” he added.
Yesterday (Jan 29), 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.
He added that 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.
“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.” — DayakDaily
