Unequal Partners: Race, Religion, Domination and Inequality in East Malaysia

Unequal Partners: Race, Religion, Domination and Inequality in East Malaysia provides an honest and open conversations into the feelings of East Malaysians towards the hegemonic West Malaysia in the last 60-years after the formation of Malaysia. Malaysia desperately needs a new perspective and a new narrative to rid itself of the 60-year yoke of regressive policies and politicking that has stifled its advancement. Race, religion and identity politics still dominate the national narrative. The solution to these destructive politics will not come from the peninsula. It is Sabah and Sarawak, with its history of racial harmony and religious tolerance that we must look to for new perspectives, direction, and leadership. Talk of ketuanan Melayu and the supremacy of one race or religion is anathema to the people of Borneo states.

These West Malaysian narratives have presented a real threat to the racial and religious harmony we have enjoyed in East Malaysia. In Sabah and Sarawak, there is no concept of a single dominant race, as we are all citizens of the nation called Malaysia with equal rights. Sabah and Sarawak did not join Malaysia, the two states were equal partners in its formation. Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak gave birth to this nation together; without Sabah and Sarawak, there is no Malaysia. It is time the federal government acknowledged the massive contribution of Sabah and Sarawak, especially its oil resources, to the wealth of the nation. Recognition is important. To the disappointment of Borneo states, Malaysia Day was only declared a public holiday in 2010, 47 years after its founding, ignoring its significance.

Until today, Merdeka Day overshadows Malaysia day celebrations. The Borneo states has always regarded themselves as a nation state, equal partners of Malaysia, and not one the 13 states of Malaysia. The amendment to Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution in July 1976, for whatever reason, downgraded the status of Sarawak and Sabah from regions within Malaysia to states. As Lord Cameron Cobbold commented: “Malaysia should be regarded by all concerned as an association of partners, combining in the common interest to create new nation but retaining their own individualities.”

The Constitution (Amendment) Act 2022 passed by Parliament on December 14, 2021 restored Sabah and Sarawak status as equal partners. Since then, the Borneo states have been flexing their muscles as a “Borneo bloc to demand more autonomy and sharing of revenue for its development agenda. Interference by the central government has changed the landscape of local politics. Many Sabahans have accused former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad of meddling in state affairs and exporting toxic Umno politics to Sabah. Umno entered Sabah in 1991, and continued to dominate Sabah political scene up to the fall of the Barisan Nasional coalition in the 14th general election.