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Peninsular-Borneo relations in one damn long thread.
1/16
In Sabah, elections always raise the question of Federal vs State based parties. Much of this is tied to decades of mistrust and abuse by Federal based parties and that powers are centred in the P'sular.
1/16
In Sabah, elections always raise the question of Federal vs State based parties. Much of this is tied to decades of mistrust and abuse by Federal based parties and that powers are centred in the P'sular.
2/16
It must be noted that Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah have vastly different experiences of colonialism, which has had lasting effects on Malaysia's development today.
This was also highlighted by @PhilipGolingai in The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/columnists/its-just-politics/2019/08/25/one-country-three-histories
It must be noted that Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah have vastly different experiences of colonialism, which has had lasting effects on Malaysia's development today.
This was also highlighted by @PhilipGolingai in The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/columnists/its-just-politics/2019/08/25/one-country-three-histories
3/16
While British rule in Malaya began from the 18th century, North Borneo (Sabah) was managed by the British North Borneo Chartered Company and Sarawak was under the custodianship of the Brooke family. NB and Sarawak only became British colonies post-WWII.
While British rule in Malaya began from the 18th century, North Borneo (Sabah) was managed by the British North Borneo Chartered Company and Sarawak was under the custodianship of the Brooke family. NB and Sarawak only became British colonies post-WWII.
4/16
With regards to self-governance, P'sular Msia is unique as it's comprised of multiple sultanates that date centuries. While royal elites were sent to the UK to study, Sarawak est. its first political parties in 1959, NB did so in 1961 in response to TAR's Malaysia proposal.
With regards to self-governance, P'sular Msia is unique as it's comprised of multiple sultanates that date centuries. While royal elites were sent to the UK to study, Sarawak est. its first political parties in 1959, NB did so in 1961 in response to TAR's Malaysia proposal.
5/16
At the formation of Malaysia, S'wak and NB leaders attended mission schools at best and put their trust in educated Malayans in the path to a new country. The Borneo States in the early 60s were waiting for their first gen of educated youths to return from studies abroad.
At the formation of Malaysia, S'wak and NB leaders attended mission schools at best and put their trust in educated Malayans in the path to a new country. The Borneo States in the early 60s were waiting for their first gen of educated youths to return from studies abroad.
6/16
Some Borneo leaders who played a huge role in the formation of Malaysia, like the incomparable Temenggong Jugah were human libraries, rich in oral literature but could not read. It is known that he signed the Malaysia Agreement with his thumb print. IMO, he epitomised cool.
Some Borneo leaders who played a huge role in the formation of Malaysia, like the incomparable Temenggong Jugah were human libraries, rich in oral literature but could not read. It is known that he signed the Malaysia Agreement with his thumb print. IMO, he epitomised cool.
7/16
For the Borneo States, the promise of urban development after a visit to Kuala Lumpur in the early 60s were among the things that drew our leaders to Malaysia. The shock exit of Singapore in 1965 however, left a bitter taste in their mouths.
For the Borneo States, the promise of urban development after a visit to Kuala Lumpur in the early 60s were among the things that drew our leaders to Malaysia. The shock exit of Singapore in 1965 however, left a bitter taste in their mouths.
8/16
Federal showed keen support of Borneo Muslim leaders, regardless of the people's vote which led to corruption and mismanagement. Today, the economic disparity between East and West is stark even with the surrender of Borneo's natural resources to Federal.
Federal showed keen support of Borneo Muslim leaders, regardless of the people's vote which led to corruption and mismanagement. Today, the economic disparity between East and West is stark even with the surrender of Borneo's natural resources to Federal.
9/16
Back to education, the difference between the establishment of Malaya's first university and Sabah and Sarawak's first universities is approximately 90 years. Before the 90's, any East Malaysians who wished to pursue higher learning had to leave Sabah and Sarawak.
Back to education, the difference between the establishment of Malaya's first university and Sabah and Sarawak's first universities is approximately 90 years. Before the 90's, any East Malaysians who wished to pursue higher learning had to leave Sabah and Sarawak.
10/16
While mission schools formalised education in rural Borneo, they had a hand in erasing cultural traditions and in North Borneo, which had largely been matrifocal, women were left behind. I'd assume their syllabus then was more local than the Malaysian one now.
While mission schools formalised education in rural Borneo, they had a hand in erasing cultural traditions and in North Borneo, which had largely been matrifocal, women were left behind. I'd assume their syllabus then was more local than the Malaysian one now.
11/16
We live in a post-colonial world where we are inseparable from the ravishes of previous and new colonisers. In Borneo, education is a thorny subject cos we were shamed for our oral traditions when if anything, it's the most beautiful thing about us.
We live in a post-colonial world where we are inseparable from the ravishes of previous and new colonisers. In Borneo, education is a thorny subject cos we were shamed for our oral traditions when if anything, it's the most beautiful thing about us.
12/16
Cultural differences meant the Keningau Oath Stone was not honoured. Federal promises that the cultural heritages of Borneo would be preserved were neglected. Kadazan and Iban vernacular schools were on the table but to be Malaysian, Borneo had to speak Bahasa Malaysia.
Cultural differences meant the Keningau Oath Stone was not honoured. Federal promises that the cultural heritages of Borneo would be preserved were neglected. Kadazan and Iban vernacular schools were on the table but to be Malaysian, Borneo had to speak Bahasa Malaysia.
13/16
Following the May 13 riots, Malayisation through the National Cultural Policy 1971 saw Borneo indigenous languages being silenced from the radio. Borneo Literature Bureau books were allegedly burnt. Mass Islamisation in Sabah followed suit. https://ibancustoms.wordpress.com/iban-literature/
Following the May 13 riots, Malayisation through the National Cultural Policy 1971 saw Borneo indigenous languages being silenced from the radio. Borneo Literature Bureau books were allegedly burnt. Mass Islamisation in Sabah followed suit. https://ibancustoms.wordpress.com/iban-literature/
14/16
Why Malaysians today knows so little about Sabah and Sarawak can be traced back to Federal leadership. Decolonisation will take more than theory, the decentralisation of powers is urgent due to poverty and that we stand to lose Borneo languages within the next generation.
Why Malaysians today knows so little about Sabah and Sarawak can be traced back to Federal leadership. Decolonisation will take more than theory, the decentralisation of powers is urgent due to poverty and that we stand to lose Borneo languages within the next generation.
15/16
A dramatic shift of powers in Malaysia is needed. Many now believe that the fate of the Nation lies in having an experienced PM from Borneo. 2/3 of Malaysia's equal partners lie in Borneo. 8 P'sular states can fit into the map of Sabah.
A dramatic shift of powers in Malaysia is needed. Many now believe that the fate of the Nation lies in having an experienced PM from Borneo. 2/3 of Malaysia's equal partners lie in Borneo. 8 P'sular states can fit into the map of Sabah.
16/16
Borneo cannot keep answering to the Federation. Those tables must be turned in order to make reparations and ensure national security. If we are all free Malaysians of equal footing, the most radical act would be to treat Sabahans and Sarawakians as such.
End thread. Phew!
Borneo cannot keep answering to the Federation. Those tables must be turned in order to make reparations and ensure national security. If we are all free Malaysians of equal footing, the most radical act would be to treat Sabahans and Sarawakians as such.
End thread. Phew!
