NOVEMBER 5 ― On Monday, Penampang MP Darrel Leiking suggested East Malaysian MPs band together and form a ‘Borneo Pact’ so as to have more say in what happens at the federal level.
In doing so he raises an interesting question: just how much can East Malaysia, Sarawak in particular, push for in light of Umno's weakened position at the moment?
Last Friday the Cabinet agreed on the latest concession ― a new format of government forms for Sabah and Sarawak indigenous races, most of whom would not have to tick “lain-lain” (others) in government forms soon.
According to Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, Sabahans can now choose between Anak Negeri Sabah (Sabah natives); Bumiputera Sabah; and Bukan Bumiputera Sabah (Sabahan non-Bumiputeras).
Meanwhile, Sarawakians now have the additional option of “Dayak” on top of “lain-lain.”
It’s a significant development. More than half a century after forming Malaysia alongside the other races that make up this country, the Dayaks are finally getting a symbolic recognition.
The next step would be to accord legal recognition to this as Section 161A of the Federal Constitution, which deals with the special position of Sabah and Sarawak natives, does not actually specify what “Dayaks” as a group of races specifically refer to.
And then there are other questions that would inevitably pop up. Like how the minority Melanaus, which produced two of Sarawak’s four chief ministers since Malaysia was born, would still have to tick “lain-lain.”
Or how exactly Anak Negeri Sabah differs from Bumiputera Sabah ― one potential explanation is the consensus reached at a gathering of Sabahan and Sarawakian non-government organisations (NGOs) in Kuching earlier this year which reportedly decided the term Bumiputera is too associated with being Malay and Muslim for comfort.
In any case, this will only add to the Sarawak chief minister’s growing popularity. The cynic would see it as a pre-state election move ― and it is difficult to argue against that ― but the deed is done nonetheless.
For one, the push for Sarawak Bumiputeras not to be classified as “lain-lain” was top of his list of 45 principles and actions in office so far, which was compiled in leaflets distributed at a gathering of Sarawakians at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) on October 24, 2015.
It remains to be seen if Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s other popular pursuits against the federal government, which include a promise to push for more autonomy, more oil royalties and getting an extra RM500 million in federal allocation to develop rural Sarawak, will bear fruit and how much.
All things said and done, however, most if not all of these goals are arguably chasing what Sarawak (and Sabah) are already entitled to anyway.
These are the two biggest states by land area, contributing significantly to federal coffers, yet remain among the most under-developed in the nation more than five decades after forming Malaysia with Malaya.
Much of this is perhaps due to how the political situation has played out in these states over the past few decades. But that is a huge, separate subject altogether.
And never before has any of these two states held such an unprecedented leverage over Umno as seen today in the case of Sarawak (unfortunately for Sabah, Umno has set up shop in the state).
The big question now is whether Sarawak Barisan Nasional, fractured as some of its component parties may be, will capitalise further on this leverage before the balance of power shifts back to the federal side.
Because like it or not the state, right now, has the numbers to shake Umno in Putrajaya ― in theory at least.
There may be much more Umno is willing to concede for continued support but for Sarawak to ask.
It is probably going to be a long few months until Adenan calls polls indeed.
*This is the personal opinion of the columnist.
