Colonising Sabah Part 1

If colonisation means to wipe out or displace the indigenous population of that particular state or place then Sabah is in a very precarious position.  The Spaniards and Portuguese did it in South America and the Native Americans were forced to defend themselves from the stampede of European intrusion.  In North America the Europeans brought with them diseases of both mind and body, the consequence of which the population of the Native Americans nearly disappeared from the face of this earth. The British called their exploitation “expedition”, of course with the intention of colonizing. When the British came to Borneo they were no different to the other colonizers as they manipulated the local population into submission with the pretext of “just” being an advisor to the local leader.  Little did we know then because as soon as we know we were calling them “Tuan”…here in our own home! Yes. We called them TUAN without hesitation. Today we have a new TUAN and in the same breath we call our local leader “Yang Berhormat”…sigh!!

BERSIH RALLY 2.0 – A CASE OF COMMON SENSE GONE WRONG

I do not understand people’s obsession on taking sides.  They see you either as a BN supporter or with the “other” side and in this case with Bersih!  It’s so childish it reminds me of the days when as a child we must either choose “this” friend or “that” friend to play with because they are not talking to each other!!  As for the current political issue with regard to Bersih, I am not supporting any sides of the political divide.  I am not here to question the “neutrality” of the organizer of the campaign either.  However I do detest when people are encouraged to be out on the streets be it in small group or in a grand scale in the pretext of justice and in this instance “clean and fair election”.  I do support reason and the sense of responsibility though.

KDM & EDUCATION, and the POVERTY BONDAGE

“My niece had always wanted to become a teacher.  She applied for a teaching course (through the internet) to the Education Department but sadly she was rejected.  She heard about a teacher (course) interview in Kemabong (especially for those applicants with no access to the internet), so I took her there.  There were 800 applicants present and it took the whole day for the interviews to conclude.  Again, my niece was rejected for the position although appeals can be made to the Education Department office in Kota Kinabalu.  I made the appeal on behalf of my niece.  There were already 300 appeals coming all the way from Tawau and Semporna but we have to wait another week before any answers can be given.  I heard a similar story from a friend in Nabawan with 1,200 applicants. ”  lamented a very good friend to me recently.

So why is this happening?  Why do Sabahans have to beg to be teachers in their own home?  Are we not good enough?  Kami ini second class citizen kah?  Why do we depend so much on Malaya to send teachers here to teach our own children?  Why?  Is there a hidden agenda that we Sabahans missed?

Screw Max, the Huguan Siou Hopeful

Many politicians make an excuse that they must be rich or holding a position of power before they can help others to have a better life.  I believe it is just an excuse to cheat people of their votes.  Once they get what they want i.e. rich and holding a position of power, their standard answer after showing an effort to help their constituents is, “that is all I can do”.  If a person who aspires to be a politician is sincere, and their true desire is to help others, then there is no need for wealth or position of power to start helping.  Assistance comes in many forms, tangible or intangible, big or small.  For a person in need any form of assistance is appreciated.  However, we must never take those in dire straits for granted for they have “the power of the pen”.  They voted you in.  They can also vote you out!!

DAP’s Hypocrisy and Malaysia’s Ignorance Part I

In politics, there is no such thing as a rulebook. The reality is just that, it is neither harsh nor kind. It is a lesson for anyone who cares to understand and learn. However, those in the comfort zone choose to be ignorant and those who really wants to understand perhaps has limited cognitive capacity to comprehend.

It is just such a shame to have a leader in the like of Lim Kit Siang whom I think has a shallow understanding of the political scene in our beautiful state of Sabah. I believe that by ignoring the realities of politics in Malaysia, we Malaysians will continue to be entrapped as a middle-income country and eventually everyone will lose. Who will gain then?

Malaysia and BIMP EAGA part 5 of 6

Today the Malaysian economy is again facing many challenges.  Malaya economy has come full circle.  Since the Export Oriented Industrialization strategy was successful, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) did not put much emphasis in developing BIMP EAGA.  Sabah has always been the less priority state for MITI.

Malaya Elusive Co-operation part 4 of 6

Continuation of Distortion of History ……

Instead of working together to benefit Malaysia, Malaya wants to take over Sabah – mind and body.  This condescending attitude and colonizing the mind, that Sabahans by implication are unreliable and untrustworthy.  Even the Sabah Malays is only good as peons, only orang Malaya can do it.

Malay needs Sabah part 3 of 6

Continuation to Distortion of History …..

However, everything good or bad must end.  There is just so many times a retelling of a story sounds good.  After a while echoes becomes an irritant.  The Malay elites cannot demonize the Chinese forever.  They are part of the Malaysian economic system.  Without their presence, Malaysia may still be practicing Barter trade.

The Elites,Liberals,and Conservatives part 2 of 6

Continuation to Distortion of History ….

Many people have tried to confuse these issues.  They try to make the Malay liberals as the Malay elites – this is wrong.  The Malay elites are mostly those that walk along the corridor of power including those given positions in the GLCs and big business.  The Malay and the Chinese elites work hand and glove.

The Distorted History Part 1 of 6

The victors write history.  Sabah has never lose any conflict, yet it’s Malaya who is writing Sabah’s history.  It is not because they are our superior; it is because we allowed Malaya to colonize our mind.  Sabahans attitude of accommodation, compromise, and tolerance must stop.  It is time that Sabahans must liberate their minds and stand in Malaysia as peers.

Sabah and Malaya are Different part 5 of 5

It is ironic, the people in Malaya is moving towards the traditional Sabah thinking of individualism whilst some Sabahans are moving towards the way the people in Malaya traditionally thinks and perceived the world.  However, trying to change the mindset of Sabahans from individualism to conformity in this modern and inter-connected World is a waste of time.

Sabah and Malaya are Different part 4 of 5

There are many similarities in the Sabah way of life and the Muslims in Indonesia.  In Indonesia, a person from a Malay stock, dress like a Malay, practicing the Malay culture but may not be a Muslim is acceptable.

Sabah and Malaya are Different part 3 of 5

The Sabah Mindset

In Sabah, in the early days most of the teachers come from Central Java or Banjarmasin.  Teachers from these places are mainly dakwah (those whose function to spread the religion).  They trained not just as a teacher but also to be as part of the society where they are going.  Their approach is to assimilate themselves into the community and not just interact.

Sabah and Malaya are Different part 2 of 5

The Way of Life

The Malaya way of life, reflect the way they think and see the world, similarly, our way of life influence the way we think and see the world.  Between Sabahan and orang Malaya, it is not similar each is poles apart.  Some prefer to assume they are the same, after all, both are mainly from the Malay stock, and they are Muslims.

Sabah and Malaya are Different part 1 of 5

A common assumption made by many that people in Sabah is the same as people in Malaya especially the Malays.  This assumption is flawed; I begin to see this problem as I joined the blogging community from Malaya.  I can summarize these differences in their thinking and the way they perceived the people in Sabah – in one word – Condescending.

The Hidden Part of the RMK Plans Part 2

These are some of the reasons that create apathy and indifference at the development planner’s level from both sides.  As the result, the people in Sabah suffer.  When similar perceptions go up to the decision makers, often they start stereotyping Sabah as being difficult, non-cooperative and very corrupt.  This include the local leadership.

The Hidden Part of the RMK Plans Part 1

It appears that Sabah and Sarawak is not only physically (geographically) separated from Malaya, there seem also a great chasm in the mindset of development planners and practitioners at the centre.  Equally at fault the mindset of the development planners & practitioners at the Sabah level.  Somehow there is no synergy in both their thinking.

RMK10 Sabah Delivery System part 2

The JPPS arrangement, perhaps from the Federal government’s perspective is proper to manage the opposition held states.  Similar steps were implemented in two other opposition held states – Terangganu and Kelantan.

RMK10 and the Sabah Delivery System

Similar to Malaya, Sabah has its own delivery system.  Unfortunately, the Federal government has never respected that Sabah needs its own delivery systems.  As the result, there are many functions and services duplicated between the Federal and State delivery systems.

Discrimination and Disfranchising Sabah – The Cabotage Policy

27 years of Discrimination and Disfranchising Sabah

The role of the Malaysian Cabotage Policy

Introduction

Overview of the Cabotage Policy

The Cabotage Policy

The Effect of Cabotage Policy to Sabah Economy

Beneficiaries to the Cabotage Policy

Cabotage Policy and the BIMP EAGA

Circumventing the Cabotage Policy

Introduction

This is clearly shown in the ideas of the Barisan Nasional, where political power is welded by 3 major components United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), the Malaya (Malaysian) Indian Congress (MIC) and the Malaya (Malaysian) Chinese Association (MCA).  The role of other members of the Barisan National components is irrelevant; they are practically impotent their presence as members is just to legitimize decisions made by the big 3.

Changes are sweeping across the political and economic landscape in Malaysia especially after the political Tsunami of 2008 and the uncertainty and volatility of global economic scenarios.  Both the MIC and MCA are racked by institutional breakdowns, and UMNO is also facing a crisis of confidence.  The political power of the Big 3 is finally in disarray and the leaders are powerless to give order into these chaos.

The Barisan Government is kicking themselves out of Sabah

The BN leadership recently made an appeal to the people not to hate BN.  The Sabah people have shown repeatedly that they hold no grudges against the BN, the same however cannot be said for some of its leaders.  Specifically, the people cannot say they love the MCA leaders especially when it comes to the issue of the Hospitals in Kota Kinabalu, the National Cabotage Policy and the Open Skies Policies.