Making Malaysia

By Erna Mahyuni

September 16, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 — “Malaya, we have a problem. It’s Singapore.”

Thinking back on the formation of Malaysia, we too often forget how much struggle went into getting the country together. September 16 should be more than just a day to miss work; it should remind us just how close we came to not existing at all.

Sabah and Sarawak would not have been asked to join Malaysia if it was not for fears among the Malays that the Chinese would outnumber them.

Even after Singapore left Malaysia, we find ourselves — decades later — still pandering to the fears of the Malays. Why are Malays still left behind even after the “enemy” or threat to Malay prosperity has been expelled? Singapore, on the other hand, is doing just fine without us.

Look at Perkasa and its misguided crusade to keep Malay nationalism alive. Whatever Datuk Ibrahim Ali says, Malaysia was not, is not and should never be Malay-sia.

Forgotten names

We elevate, without fail, Tunku Abdul Rahman for his role as Bapa Kemerdekaan but it is our own fault for reinterpreting history and hiding all the other names behind Malaysia’s formation.

What about Sabah’s Tun Fuad Stephens and Sarawak’s Temenggong Jugah anak Barieng? How often do we remember them and their influence in shaping our country?

Tunku was purportedly not keen on the prospect in the first place. Merging with Singapore was a lesser of two evils option, as opposed to having it as a neighbouring left-leaning state. It was Singapore and not Tunku who first broached the idea of a merger.

It took a lot of discussion and time before local leaders and the people would warm up to the idea.

“We must not be seen as changing colonial masters,” or so said the United National Kadazan Organisation (Unko) led by Fuad. At the time, it seemed Malaysia’s formation brought no palpable benefits to either Sabah or Sarawak.

Tunku probably owes a debt to Tun Mustapha Datu Harun who rallied the Muslim Bumiputeras of Sabah into accepting the proposal.

A good thing, too, as Fuad Stephens and other leaders had bandied about the idea of possibly forming their own federation of Borneo territories. Not to mention Indonesia’s violent opposition to the idea that led to years of fighting with our neighbour.

Decades later, we are still fighting with them though it is more shaking of fists than firing of guns. Some things never change, eh?

What we signed away

Though they helped form Malaysia, I would hesitate to call Malaysia’s other founding fathers (besides the Tunku) heroes. Fuad Stephens signed away Sabah’s petroleum rights just before he died in a plane crash, leaving the state utterly beholden to the federal government, revenue-wise.

Sarawak’s leaders have not done much better, destroying its rainforests and failing to fairly distribute the economic pie. While the Penans live in relative squalor, the Melanaus control not just the economical but the political pie.

Over the years, Sabah and Sarawak have been treated as nothing more but sources of revenue. Poor stepchildren forced to provide for their ungrateful brethren who forget they exist.

Maybe Malaysia Day will finally remind West Malaysians of the invisible people across the sea. They did not sign up for decades of exploitation and neglect, which no public holiday can ever make up for.