Kuala Lumpur: Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau (Upko-Tuaran) told Parliament on Monday that Sabahans and Sarawakians cannot be blamed if they regret the founding fathers’ decision to support forming Malaysia in 1963 considering the excessive racial and religious sentiments expressed in the peninsula.
He said although the Religious Affairs Minister’s announcement regarding guidelines and regulations for Muslims was rejected by the Cabinet on Feb. 7, there are still dissenting voices.
“Such voices are sowing seeds of division and deliberately prolonging confusion in Malaysia’s pluralistic society. “It is this kind of religious-based hate speech that makes the people of Sabah and Sarawak regret forming Malaysia.
“Many say the Malaysia of today is not the Malaysia we agreed to form under the Malaysia Agreement 1963. To us in Sabah, MA63 is encapsulated in the Keningau Oath Stone where it says... religion is free in Sabah.
“And quite a number also say that ‘our region is the richest in natural resources yet we are the poorest.’ “And some say ‘we would be better off alone like Singapore,’” he said when debating the Motion of Thanks for the Royal Address.
Madius said Singapore is a multi-racial and multi-religious country, yet remains united, showing that religious and racial differences are not barriers to unity.
In terms of economy, Singapore with no resources but a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita of USD 84,000 has achieved first-world nation status.
“Imagine how Sabahans feel when Sabah’s GDP per capita is still at USD5,000 and Malaysia at USD12,000 compared to Singapore and we are running on the spot with no progress year after year,” he said.
Madius also touched on Point 23 of the Agong’s speech that “Malaysia will remain strong based on close cooperation between the Federal Government and state governments.”
He said the speech reflected the King’s concern about Malaysia’s integrity and unity as a federal nation.
“The King’s concern was further strengthed with the firm statement that “Every action and decision must be discussed consensually for the future of the people and country”.
“Tuaran strongly agrees and expresses gratitude to His Majesty for sensing the people’s pulse about how critical the unity of the Federation is at this time. “Therefore, the Religious Affairs Minister’s announcement in this House on Feb. 4 is an example of actions and decisions announced without consensus. “This means that every policy proposal, programme and guideline should be tabled and approved by the Cabinet before being announced,” said Madius.
“In Sabah, if there is a funeral ceremony in a church, Muslims who attend are not only close friends but relatives. This is the lifestyle of Sabahans. “But in Malaya, they try to become heroes and champions by playing on religious and racial sentiments,” he said.
He blamed poor understanding and appreciation of MA63 to it not fully included in the national education system.
“Therefore, I urge the Ministry of Unity to ensure that the MA63 agreement is fully included in the school books.”
Madius praised the Sarawak Government’s farsightedness in establishing the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) under the Sarawak Premier’s Department. The unit was established almost a decade ago and the inspiration of the late Premier Pehin Sri Tan Haji Adenan Satem.
“The main objective of this unit is to serve as a link between the Muslim and non-Muslim communities to further strengthen understanding and harmony. “The establishment of a unit like this in Sarawak is a good benchmark for the government to consider,” Madius said.
