Four lessons from the Scotland vote: Wong
Published on: Monday, September 22, 2014
KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia can learn four important lessons from the Scottish Referendum episode, particularly in terms of the relationship between Westminster and Edinburgh, Scotland, while in Malaysia between Putrajaya and Sabah.DAP Sabah Chief Jimmy Wong (pic) said these were devolution promises to Scotland as part of union; democratic process of referendum; civilised way of handling differences; and restructuring of the federation system."Although the outcome of the poll said 'no' to independence and to remain within the United Kingdom, as observers and experts have said, the UK institution and system will no longer be the same.
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"During the campaign, the unionist political parties leaders promised to devolve powers from Westminster to Edinburgh in order to woo the support of Scottish to vote 'no' to independence," he said, Saturday.This move, however, Wong said, had proven that the current system which was practised in Westminster had failed to comprehend the needs and development in Scotland. "It is the same like what is practiced in Putrajaya, Malaysia," he claimed.Wong said the power in Westminster was too centralised and its equal partner like Scotland and Wales had lesser powers.
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"This is the one of the reasons why many Scots were keen on the separatist movement and fight for Independence. As well as in Malaysia, instead of using the colonial and outdated Sedition Act to charge 'separatists', Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak should learn from his British counterpart, David Cameron on his civilised and democratic way to handle the differences in the nation and listen to the people of Sabah and Sarawak," he said.In order to do so, Wong said Malaysia firstly must upgrade the Sabah and Sarawak Legislative Assembly to become the Sabah and Sarawak Parliament just like the Scottish Parliament was set up in 1998.
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Then more powers should be given to Sabah and Sarawak to decide on their taxation, welfare, education, health, etc, as was promised in the 20 Points/18 Points Agreement as well as Malaysia Agreement."We, Pakatan Rakyat, have made promises in our manifesto that we recognise Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners within Federation of Malaysia and we promise that devolution and decentralisation of power would take place if we win Putrajaya. "I believe not all Sabahans and Sarawakians are keen on independence, but they certainly feel unhappy over the injustice and imbalanced distribution of wealth as well as the development in Sabah and Sarawak. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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