KUALA LUMPUR — Sabahans and Sarawakians are increasingly disillusioned with the formation of Malaysia due to growing religious and racial intolerance, said Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau (PH-Tuaran).
Madius, speaking in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday, highlighted discontent among Sabahans and Sarawakians at those who continue to oppose the government’s decision to reject a proposal by the minister of religious affairs for guidelines on Muslims’ participation in non-Muslim events.
These voices are sowing seeds of division and deliberately prolonging confusion within the country’s diverse society, said Madius, a member of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko).
“It is these hateful voices tinged with religious rhetoric that make Sabahans and Sarawakians regret forming the Federation of Malaysia.
“Many say, ‘the Malaysia of today is not the Malaysia that we agreed to form under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“To us in Sabah, MA63 is encapsulated in the Batu Sumpah Keningau, where it says … freedom of religion in Sabah,” said Madius during the Dewan Rakyat’s debate on the royal address.
He also emphasised a point in the royal address by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim, which stated that Malaysia will remain strong based on close cooperation between the Federal Government and state governments.
He said the King’s speech clearly reflected His Majesty’s concern about the integrity and unity of Malaysia as a federation.
“His Majesty’s concern is further reinforced by his firm statement: ‘Every action and decision must be agreed upon for the future of the people and the country,’ and Tuaran strongly agrees and expresses its gratitude to His Majesty for understanding the people’s pulse regarding the critical importance of the unity of the Malaysian Federation at this time.
“Therefore, the announcement made by the Minister of religious affairs in this esteemed House on Feb 4 is an example of an action and decision that has not yet been agreed upon but has already been announced.
“This action also clearly contradicts good governance in preserving the integrity and unity of the Malaysian Federation as instructed by His Majesty, namely, ‘it must be discussed by consensus.’
“This means that every proposed policy, program, and guideline must be presented and approved by the Cabinet before being announced,” said Madius who was formerly Sabah deputy chief minister.
The Feb 4 announcement referred to was minister Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar’s parliamentary written reply. on the guidelines for Muslims attending non-Muslim events.
Madius also highlighted other concerns of Sabahans and Sarawakians about how their states were treated despite being part of the federation.
“Many asay that ‘our region is rich in natural resources, yet we are the poorest.’
“And some say, ‘it would be better if we were independent like Singapore,” he said during the debate on the royal address.
He noted that Singapore, a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation, had achieved unity by embracing its diversity.
Madius also highlighted Singapore’s economic success, with a per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$84,000, achieving first-world status.
“Imagine the feelings of the people of Sabah when our per capita GDP remains at US$5,000, and Malaysia’s at US$12,000, compared to Singapore, and we are running on the spot with no progress year after year,” he said. – February 18, 2025