Social vs. Federation Contract

1. The Sultans and the rulers of Malaysia issued a strong statement to defend the so-called "social contract". The Rulers warned that there should never be any attempt to test or challenge issues related to the social contract. Like a recent forum organized by Bar Council.

2. Sultan of Perak proposed teaching of "social contract" in education institutions. “The social contract is part of our history. Our children could then learn and understand what the social contract is without any sensitivity, suspicion or feeling that they have been left out.”

3. As expected, chorus of support were given to the rhetoric. Leaders of various communities came out in full support of the rulers stand. Their sincerity remains a question. Ong Ka Ting, Samy Vellu, etc. supported the kings stand. They praised the kings' strong message. All because of a subscript from the main message that is "The Rulers assured the "non-Malays" of their rights under the Federal Consti-tution."

4. In this euphoria of supremacists, nobody seem to care about the definition of "social contract". They've been focusing on one point, and that one point is apparently "unknown". Your Highness, we beg you. For your subjects unable to comprehend the concept!

5. But where's our Sabahan leaders? No one came out in support or disagree with the message from the rulers. What are we? Are we unable to articulate our sentiments? Where is Bernard Dompok who said he will continue to defend Sabahans rights. Who said that the more we discuss sensitive Sabahans issues, the less they'll become a problem. Where is Pairin? Where are all those so-called defender of Sabah?

6. The "social contract" if it ever does, only exists tacitly in conjectures defended by certain parties. An agreement between the communities in Malaya, mandated when the Malays agreed to give citizenship to the Chinese and Indians Immigrants. In return of the goodwill gestures by the Malays, then the Immigrants agreed to bestow special rights to the Malays. In other word it was like a debt to be paid by the next generations. And mind you, by the look of current development, it will never be fully settled.

7. If the above definition is true, then the "social contract" was never and will never be applicable to Sabahans in Sabah. We were not indebted in any way to any party within Malaysia. We do not need to pay anything. We should never be obliged to adhere to any contracts. We were awarded independence on August 31st 1963, before joining Malaysia on September 16th 1963. As an equal partner with equal rights.

8. And yes, how could our Sabahan leaders kept quiet after the Sultan of Perak proposed teaching of "social contract" in schools? It is like telling our Sabahan children that their forefathers carried a social debt that they now have to pay. Sabahans shall never agree to this. Not until the "federation contract"; the contract and agreement clauses used to form Malaysia; is similarly taught in schools.

Legalized PATI (Pendatang Asing Tanpa Izin)

1. It's an Open Secret that Illegal Immigrants are roaming freely in Sabah. Many argued that the solutions from federal government were mere superficial actions to curb people's growing anger. The 50 million ringgit recently allocated by the federal government for massive illegal immigrant sweep in Sabah, as i see it, and I believe many of you concur with me, that the operation did NOT produce any significant result.

2. These Illegal Immigrants have established their own dwellings in several parts of Sabah. Some of these enclaves have become eyesores to us Sabahans and to incoming tourists. One wouldn't disagree that Pulau Gaya is a safe haven for Illegal Immigrants. This is a hive and clusters of menacing drug dealers juxtaposed with the constant supply of other vices in Kota Kinabalu. And yet the recent Illegal Immigrants Operations focused on areas such as Penampang and Putatan. Wouldn't they haul more success if they concentrated the operation in these known enclaves? Or are the dwellers in Pulau Gaya already attained Citizenship?

3. Enforcers do not need to face all the trouble going to Pulau Gaya. They can just focus their operation at Center Point Shopping center, with clearly more fishes to fish there. For those enforcers eagerly waiting to impress, expecting a pay hike or even trying to "kipas" their bosses, a right time would be during festive seasons like the recent Hari Raya Aidilftiri. You would be spoilt for choices, a lot of foreigners are roaming the streets. Stateless street children are everywhere. You won't be dissapointed. But be warned though, you will need a bigger and more Temporary Detention Centers. Such as those in Menggatal Bukit Paradise, Sandakan and Tawau.

4. Having more Temporary Detention Centers means having to fork out more from the government coffers. Money that could and should be spent on genuine citizen would be wasted in funding Illegal Immigrants. In which they in the first place were allowed in by unscrupulous "agents" for attaining political supremacy through dubious means. And yes, these "agents" did gain upper-hand in Sabah's politics. You can see their supremacy by unfair award of government projects. But they failed to notice the dangerous after effects of their greed. One Illegal Immigrants who came to Sabah twenty years ago would have already multiplied to a family of 5 children by now.

5. This is the stark reality looming unto us. Say if there were 300,000 (by all means this figure is not accurate) legalized Illegal Immigrants in 1990. By now there would be already about 1,000,000 of them. Most are born in Sabah and mostly spent their lives in the ghettos. Mind you, these Illegal Immigrants are living in a morbid environment with lack of amenities and healthcare. They have been totally forgotten by the "agents" that brought them in. After giving the "agents" an unfair advantage in the local political scenes, now these Illegal Immigrants have been forsaken and living in forlorn. Deprived by a goodwill thanks they should readily deserve from those "agents" for a job "well done".

6. Our Sabah politicians, notably UPKO recently have reaffirmed their commitment in supporting the federal government led by UMNO. There's no need to reiterate Sabahans requests to the federal government. They should already positively notifed of our predicaments. For Sabahan Politicians, I say Go On Barking At The Wrong Tree.

7. Together let us throw out these "agents" that have made our life miserable. Unite and be counted, stand firm in the presence of political turbulence. As Sabahans, we have great responsibility to ensure fairness and equality are served to our chidlren and their grandchildren's children. For those forsaken Legalized PATI, you can help us too, you can help gouge out the eyes of those "agents" who had forsaken you. An eye for an eye.

Solution for a Lost Identity

1. 78 year old Mrs. Yong Lee Hua, a sino-kadazan (like myself) lost her identity card in a supermarket in Penampang last year. She is a genuine Malaysian Citizen, a Sabahan, residing in Sabah even before independence in 1963.

2. She went to National Registration Department hoping to get a new MyKad. But only to be disappointed when she was instead given a red IC with a status of a permanent resident. Equivalent to a refugee in her own country.

3. Imagine this, as a genuine citizen mistaken as a refugee, she will be denied all citizenry rights. She will not be able to acquire land nor buying a house. She will not be able to buy Amanah Saham Nasional ASN range of shares. Her children or relatives will be living in constant fear that her PR status could be revoked anytime and lots of other predicament that we would not normally face as a citizen.

4. UPKO was frustrated with the way Mrs. Yong Lee Hua case was handled by the National Registration Department. Led by Wilfred Bumburing who even threatened to review UPKO's position in Barisan Nasional if the issue is not promptly settled.

5. I give credits to UPKO for bringing the case up. At least the people who are living in ignorance of peninsula's hegemony will know the issues Sabahans are facing. But they will always make us wonder. Why now? Why barking on a wall? I can assure you, it will not move an inch.

6. Even if Mrs. Yong Lee Hua case is settled. I think there are hundreds others who are facing the same problem. Living as a permanent resident in their own country. As said by Donald Mojuntin, UPKO will always try to help those who are affected. Donald even revealed two other Sabahans who were issued red IC.

7. In my humble opinion, a solution to this problem is simple.

8. National Registration Department is keeping over 20 million of civilian demographic records. Added to that, they are also keeping biometric and portrait records of each citizen. All inside a database.

9. Regardless whether you have or have not registered a MyKad, your biometric record should exists in JPN database. This is because prior to rolling out MyKad, JPN I believe had conducted conversion of the old blue Identity Card from Paper Form into computerized digital data. The fingerprints have been digitized enabling 'Matching' with a person's live fingerprints.

10. These biometric records are kept securely in Putrajaya NRD Department. Why not use this sophisticated technology to arcertain Mrs. Yong Lee Hua identity? Remember CSI (Crime Scene Investigation)? Mrs. Yong Lee Hua biometric record should exists in NRD database, because she had an IC before. The one that she lost in the supermarket. So, her biometric record should be reusable.

11. There are two types of matching.

12. Number one is called 1 to 1. This way NRD should call Mrs. Yong in. And conduct a search in their database, either by name "Yong Lee Hua", by her old ID number that is if she could remember it. And by any other demographic data as claimed by her. The search should be straight forward, don't 'kelentong' me that NRD cannot do that, I Know it can be done. When the record that she claimed hers is found. Then the stored fingerprint can be used to 'match' with her live finger, of course with the help of state of the art biometric device. Come on! don't tell me NRD do not have this facility! If Mrs. Yong 'live fingerprint' positively matches with the 'stored biometric record' then we can positively say that 'she is what she claimed she is'.

13. Number two is called 1 to many. This way NRD can call Mrs. Yong in, take her 'live fingerprints' and dump it into NRD biometric database to search against 20 over million of fingerprints data. The purpose is to find 'matching candidates' for the 'biometric database'. If there is a positive match, then the system should be able to tell with 'whose record' Mrs. Yong 'live fingerprints' matches with.

14. If the results are positive. Issue a new MyKad lah BONGOK. Problem solved.

Hormat Kepada Orang Tua

Syed Hamid to Murugiah: Don’t butt in.

Malaysians are rich in culture and traditions. Strict rules and regulations are observe in every part of life. There are taboos, do and dont's, cultural performances, etc. "Malaysian proverbs" is one of the myriad of cultural heritage inherited from our fore-fathers. They are commonly used by parents to discipline their children. The folks have many of these short words of wisdom that express effectively some commonplace truth or useful thought. These proverbs have effectively inculcate good manners in young Malaysians.

"Hormat Kepada Orang Tua" or "Respect the Elders" is a popular Malay proverb. It is a wise and profound saying that has been passed from generation to generations. Remember primary school? We have learned a lot of proverbs in school. From standard 1 until SPM. Remember "Pendidikan Moral"?. You have to respect anyone who are at least a day older than you, and you cannot deny whatever they say, even if you don't agree with them. At least not openly, or in front of a third party. Because that would mean you do not respect them. "Diorang Lebih Dulu Makan Garam" or "They've Eaten More Salt Than You" is another proverb to suggest an older person is categorically much wiser than you. By not respecting the elders, then you are not observing your cultural root, your racial lineage. No matter how ridiculous their opinion is, you have to live with it, never criticize them, and you will be fine. Just go to a corner, get a blanket, drape yourself and cry like a gelded donkey.

Barisan Nasional have been ruling in Malaysia for half-a-century. This party is also strict in its dos and dont's. Cultural taboos have been observed incessantly. The leaders are steep in tradition. This is all the more evident when any leader within Barisan Nasional speaks up against a collective decision made in higher echelon, then he will be rebuked by the BN chief whip. A leader who spoke up is entitled for a party disciplinary action. He can be suspended, fired from his post or given show cause letter for his audacity to speak against his "boss". Come to think of it,. Not much different from a proverb "Melawan orang Tua" or "Disrespect to the elders/superior" isn't it?

Remember Datuk S. Sothinathan? He has been suspended for three months as Natural Resources and Environment Deputy Minister. I think it was in 2005. Sothinathan's outburst in the Dewan Rakyat was about the de-recognition of the Crimea State Medical University (CSMU) medical degree. Mr. Sothinathan did not agree by the government decision, and stated his case in the parliament. But look at what he got. SUSPENDED! And this was the party president statement; "As a member of the government he should not have taken the stand to criticise the government. It is a breach of party discipline". There you go my friend "Hormat Kepada Orang Tua". A lot of other ministers condemned Sothinatan's actions, they say it was not appropriate, that he should have taken a more appropriate channel. They say he had "broken rank" (another word for melawan cakap) with the party leadership. But "Au Contraire" my lord, what more appropriate channel than the PARLIAMENT? Should he go to a corner, drape himself in a blanket and cry like a gelded donkey; an appropriate channel?

PUTRAJAYA, 24 Sept — It is inappropriate of Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department T. Murugiah to interfere in the affairs of another ministry, said Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

The home minister said Murugiah's action - in speaking on behalf of Seputeh Member of Parliament Teresa Kok on complaints she was not served proper meals while in detention under the Internal Security Act - was akin to being a spokesman for the opposition.

"What he has done is not right. I hope he knows how to look after his own turf. He should not interfere in another's affairs...that is not his work."

I say please don't desecrate a proverbial wisdom. Do you have to switch political alliance first before you can speak up for fellow human being? Do you just watch your friend drowning and not do anything because he is supporting Barisan Nasional while you are SAPP stalwart?

Pendekar

There's a story of a fearless "Pendekar" in a remote village in remote district known as "Kotoh Balat". This "Pendekar" earn his reputation for being a formidable fighter, he never once concede anything to any of his adversaries nor did he ever lose in any arguments. For he has a loud shrieky voice equivalent to a frog calling for rain to come down. He was gifted with a heavenly high-quality vocal cord and a larger than large larynx.

One loud clamor from him is enough to send any opponent down, silencing any protest from the floor. "Pendekar" used that to his advantage and once he led a political party known as ROOT (Revolutionary Otai Otai Tongok) - Don't ask me, I don't know what it symbolizes either. ROOT was considered as a splinter party, because it was formed by former members of a disrupted bigger party known as PDS (Party of Disjointed Shame).

Due to this "special quality", a gem rarely found in any other leader or in any other place but "Kotoh Balat". He was elected as a speaker in national legislative assembly of his country. This is a very clever strategy by the ruling party DN (Destruction National). Because this chap "Pendekar" is a Godsend. He can be manipulated and exploited for the sole benefit of the ruling government.

The ruling government is in a precarious position, because there's a looming threat from an emerging nemesis. The nemesis is set to take over the government at any time, he has exhausted all constitutional and legal avenue. One final avenue could be to call for an "emergency sitting" of the national legislative assembly. To explain to the country lawmakers about current dire situation, and why is it necessary to have complete overhauling of the current mediocre incompetent government, as soon as possible. Maybe to call a vote of no confidence on the ruling government and the decision could be made there and then, at the extraordinary sitting.

Yes he did just that, the nemesis sent a letter to the leader of the ruling government the NM (Nadir Minister). Among others the letter contains concern about issues in the country, worrying national and global economic downturn, and how the dangerous religious and racial disputes has been manipulated by certain ministers in the ruling government to boiling point. The "emergency sitting" would open way for a stubborn political impasse created mostly from denial syndrome suffered by those in the DN party.

But as usual, the NM dismissed all that as mere fancy. He said the nemesis was just day dreaming. The NM also complained that the sent letter is too lenghty and that he will need time to discern it. The people are not sure whether the NM is seriously intellectually challenged or he is just making excuses in delaying what the people see as an inevitable reform. Why? No... who on earth would call for a meeting that will probably lead to his own demise? Would you? No I will not. Strange? Yes the strategy of the nemesis is strange indeed, very odd.

To be fair to him, the nemesis has a point though. He said if the NM does not call for an emergency sitting of the national legislative assembly. It is tantamount to a deliberate attempt to undermine the sacred process of democracy in this country. An apparent dereliction of the law of the country by those in corridor of power. But again! Who would dare to call for a meeting that will decide his own death by a guillotine? Do you?

And Yes! As you might have already expect. The NM has another tool in his never-ending arsenal. Presenting our very own "Pendekar", hail from "Kotoh Balat", a last bastion for the ruling government. A reliable one at it, because "Pendekar" is the speaker of the national legislative assembly. With that he has some sort of vested power on him whether to call or delay any "emergency sitting". With his loud voice and burning charisma, HAHAHA who would dare deny his ruling?

"Pendekar" issued a statement regarding the nemesis request for an emergency sitting by saying ~Only the Nadir Minister can call for an emergency national legislative assembly session, and even then he needs to give a 14-day notice.~

14 Days may be too long to save the country from this dark episode.

Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish?

~The Sabah Progressive Party's (SAPP) withdrawal from the Barisan Nasional is a good thing as it was a problem within the coalition, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

... "Good riddance. They are a problem. It is okay, he (SAPP President Datuk Yong Teck Lee) is a trouble-maker, let him go", The Prime Minister said" (Extract from TheStar, Thursday 18 September 2008)

Above was the immediate response by our Prime Minister after SAPP opted out from Barisan Nasional. With that I feel that effectively all requests put forward by SAPP in the "Declaration of the People of Sabah for change in the country" have been dismissed as rubbish.

1. That the government shall be of the people and based on Good Governance and Civil Society and non-racial politics based on a progressive, just and harmonious society,

2. That Sabah shall have political autonomy whereby the government shall be formed and run by the people of Sabah,

3. That Sabah and other oil producing States shall be entitled to the petroleum royalty of 20%

4. That the Federal Territory of Labuan shall be returned to Sabah and governed as a special region,

5. That unfair and imprudent federal laws which have been extended to Sabah and federal departments and which are to the detriment of the State shall be reviewed,

6. That Sabah shall be given fair and just participation in the federal administration, the civil service and private sector, and that the federal departments in Sabah shall, as far as possible, be headed by local Malaysians,

7. That the federal government and the state governments shall put in sufficient resources, political will and leadership in solving the illegal immigrant problems in a firm but humane manner, with emphasis on regional concept and smart partnership,

8. That the federal and state governments shall together work on redressing the in-built structural imbalances in the economic and social structure of the country affecting Sabah and other states.

I am sure these declarations are the true wishes of the people of Sabah. Let's wait whether UPKO, PBRS and PBS also consider Sabahans wishes as a pile of rubbish.

Happy Birthday Malaysia

Today is the eve of Malaysia's birthday. On September 16th 1963, North Borneo (Sabah), Sarawak, Singapore and Malaya formed a federation. However Singapore pull out of the federation in 1965. Sabah was given independence by the British by "forming" Malaysia, together with the other three states. Note that I used the word "forming"! Purposely to affirm Sabah's position as "one of the three states" in Malaysia. This is clearly the original intention in the spirit of the federation, that somehow I think today has been harshly violated. As Tunku Abdul Rahman puts it;

~... One reaction in the Borneo territories was that the Malaysia concept was an attempt to colonise the Bornean territories. The answer to this was, as I said before, it is legally impossible for the federation to colonise because we desire that they should join us in the federation in equal partnership, enjoying the same status between one another...~ (Extract of speech by Tunku Abdul Rahman, Prime Minister of the Federation of Malaya, in the Federal parliament on 16 October 1961)

The facts have been distorted to the younger generations. So much so that today many Sabahans haven't got any clue of our "correct" history. Scholastic history syllabus did not include any reliable facts about Sabah's true position in Malaysia. Absolutely no mention about the "Twenty Points". The safeguards that our forefathers made to protect us the descendants of Nunuk Ragang, the offsprings of the Land Below the Wind, sons of Kinoringan. This mean that the younger generations were made to believe that "Sabah has achieved its Independence through Malaysia". That without Malaysia we will forever be clutched under colonialism.

Bear in mind that Sabah achieved its independence on 31st August 1963, prior to forming Malaysia. Therefore North Borneo has already been given independence even before Malaysia was realized. It was known that British government was all for granting Independence to Sabah. But since the local people, at that time were mostly backward in literacy and education, constitutionally incompetent and unable to achieve self-governance. Therefore the British thought it would be ideal to precipitate Independence with the formation of Malaysia. As evidently noted in the following passage.

~... The declared aim of the British Government is to grant independence to all its colonial territories as soon as they are ready for it. Hitherto this has been thought as simply as independence for North Borneo standing by itself or, more recently, in association with Sarawak.~

~... It is the view of the British Government that, provided satisfactory terms of merger can be worked out, the plan for Malaysia offers the best chance of fulfilling its responsibility to guide the Borneo territories to self-government in condition that will secure them against dangers from any quarter.~

(Extract from "North Borneo and Malaysia" published by Authority of the Government of North Borneo, Jesselton, February 1962)

As a responsible younger generation, we need to ask questions regarding our rights in Malaysia. What was the Sabah leader's understanding of the term Independence? Does self-government and self-determination carry the same meaning today as they did then? Is Sabah mere one of fourteen States in Malaysia, or are we one out of three states in Malaysia? What about our current status? What are the original intentions of the federation? Did we merge with Malaya or have we been assimilated into Malaya?

On this eve of Malaysia's 45th birthday. Let us stand firm and be counted, let us together enlighten the younger generations of the true meaning of our indepedence. We must not let our guard down, the "Twenty Points" must be upheld with greatest respect. This mean that the federal treatment of Sabah and Sarawak, must necessarily be different from the other States in the Peninsular, if the rights of Sabahans and Sarawakians were to be respected.

Happy 45th Birthday Malaysia. Kinoringan is watching!