Come to Sarawak, unity in diversity is here!

IN a recent post on the X social media platform (formerly known as Twitter), Malaysia’s former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim had written: “Sarawak is our only hope. First, the good Malaysians left in the 1970s to join the Singapore civil service, which proved pivotal in developing that island’s state.

“Then, the teachers and the professionals followed. Not to mention millions of workers. MAS maintenance crew are the latest.”

Zaid Ibrahim had also taken issue with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim). He further asked: “Can someone from the PMO (Prime Minister’s Office) explain why we need to place Jakim officers in all government departments? Jakim is not satisfied with just issuing halal certificates for food?

“How does the civil service comprising 90 per cent of Muslims still require another Muslim group (Jakim) to oversee them? What certifications are needed?

“I think the Madani Government owes the people some simple explanations.”

It is a widely accepted fact that of all the states in Malaysia, Sarawak has been the most moderate, fastest developing and most progressive in as far as governance, transparency and racial harmony are concerned.

In all aspects of its religious freedom, racial tolerance and harmony and unwavering support for both the King and the country, Sarawak stands above the rest of Malaysia – proud and tall.

Zaid Ibrahim had gone on to further expand on his opinion: “For 50 years, we watched the nation decline because we refused to acknowledge that you can’t build a country on 3R (race, religion and royalty). We can only build the country using the same formulas as successful countries.

“But we persisted.

“It’s still the main preoccupation of the country’s leadership. More religion and more race identity issues are talked about every day.”

Let’s take an insightful look at what we, in Sarawak, have been through. I will not compare my own experience to that of someone in, say Johor Bahru, Penang or Seremban.

Since the era of the colonial British government (1842-1945) Sarawak was populated with a diversity of races – the natives, the Malays, the Chinese and the minorities of Indians, Sikhs, and Eurasians.

Aside from the occasional spats between the local tribes and the British government during the colonial days, we had always lived in harmony respecting each other’s differences in race, traditions, culture and religion.

A couple of ‘dark incidents’ in the form of the Brunei Rebellion of 1962 and the Indonesian Confrontation of 1963-1966, which had caused a number of deaths due to gun battles, there had not been a single incident of a racial or religious nature in Sarawak’s entire history.

There were a couple of politically motivated arson and bombing incidents that took place in the 1970s and 1980s, but these were quickly investigated and resolved without fear or favour, and did not generate any communal ill will.

During the early formative years between 1965 and 1985, we had witnessed a slow and steady development of the state’s infrastructure, and the boom in timber prices had helped pay for many modern facilities and advances for the general population.

Following these developments, we had also seen increased exports branching into oil palm, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and the oil and gas (O&G) sector making gains.

At home, many new commercial and housing projects were completed to cater to a growing population with an expanding middle-class, as well as accommodating the entry-level new homeowners.

This ‘economic boom’ after the mid-1980s ‘crash’ re-started in the early 1990s, and more than three decades later, it shows no sign of abeyance.

Throughout all this, members of the diverse and multiracial population of the state have lived alongside each other in peace, harmony and with mutual respect for each other’s culture, tradition and religion.

There is no segregation, and no ill-will or grievances of any nature or form, either openly expressed or hidden out of sight. The many inter-racial marriages between the various races have helped, in no small way, to further enhance this very special relationship – you’d often be greeted by this acknowledgement after an initial introduction: “Oh, you’re related to me by marriage!”

During ‘Open Houses’ hosted by families and friends during their respective festivals – Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Deepavali, Gawai Dayak, etc – as a matter of courtesy any ‘non-halal’ offerings would be placed at a specially-designated table, and the utensils would be separated.

In all government offices and facilities, it will always be a given that the halal policy will be observed; and working hours are specially timed to suit the Muslim staff. This has been the format for as long as one can remember.

It is my personal belief that we have been able to maintain our state of harmony due to three major factors.

Firstly, our geographical distance from Peninsular Malaysia over the South China sea, almost two hours by aircraft to or from Kuala Lumpur, coupled with the enforcement of the state immigration policy of requiring strict checks at the airport counters, act as a ‘deterrent’ for potential ‘bad hats’ or ‘unwanted guests’.

Secondly, Sarawak’s ‘rejection’ of the Umno political party to be set up in Sarawak.

Thirdly, the informal ‘sharing of power’ between the three major racial groups: the natives, the Malays and the Chinese. This has been the special relationship, and has worked well because it effectively means that all races can have their voices heard and concerns raised and attended to, so as to any issue can be nipped in the bud and not left to fester and further deteriorate.

It is a testimony to the grit and the strength of the political will and the unity of all of the leaders of the recent past and certainly, the continuity of our current group – especially our Premier and his multiracial cabinet.

A model state within Malaysia – indeed it is a model state where stable and strong leadership has remained within the same group of political parties since 1963.

Nonetheless, Sarawak has also aligned itself to and been supported by its federal counterparts for the past six decades; thereby cementing a relationship that has worked for all mutual interests.

This said, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is an ongoing subject undergoing active negotiations right now.

Zaid Ibrahim had posed this question at the end of his sharing on X: “Where are the non-Malay leaders prepared to join the true Bumiputera patriots to rebuild the country?”

My answer to him is easy: “Come to Sarawak, they’re all here!”

* The opinions expressed in this article are the columnist’s own and do not reflect the view of the newspaper.