Sarawak’s trust shaken by broken promises

It’s truly disappointing. Once again, our counterparts in Malaya, particularly those in positions of authority, have shown themselves to be unreliable.

Despite 61 years of what was meant to be a strong and united Malaysia, it seems that promises made to build trust and foster cooperation have repeatedly been broken.

These instances of unmet commitments not only strain relationships between regions but also erode the very foundation of unity that our nation was built upon.

The current controversy surrounding the Special Sarawak Recruitment Initiative (SSRI) for teachers is a clear example. Initially meant exclusively for Sarawakians, the initiative has now been opened to all Malaysians.

This change explains why many Sarawakians struggle with trust when promises made by fellow Malaysians from Malaya are not upheld.

It reflects a broader pattern of commitments being altered or disregarded, leaving Sarawakians feeling sidelined and frustrated.

Expressing disappointment over the latest turn of events, Sarawak’s Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Minister, Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, emphasised that this initiative was designed to address the shortage of primary and secondary school teachers in Sarawak.

“I feel very disappointed because this was supposed to be an initiative solely for Sarawakians. But now they are saying they will also interview candidates from other parts of Malaysia,” he said.

He acknowledged that the power lies with the Public Services Commission (PSC), and the authority is not within their control. However, he expressed concern that this change feels like a betrayal of trust.

According to Sagah, the state had requested that this opportunity be reserved exclusively for Sarawakians, as the recruitment initiative was initially declared for them.

“They should see that there are so many Sarawakians (applying for the vacancies) and should just accept them. However, they are now considering giving positions to non-Sarawakians, which I am not happy about.”

Through the SSRI, Sarawak hopes to fill 1,733 vacant teacher positions with locals. Out of 15,000 applicants, 2,000 have been shortlisted for interviews in Kuching, Sibu, and Miri.

The Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who is also upset about this breach of trust, has instructed Sagah to further negotiate the matter with the Education Service Commission (ESC).

He stated that the ESC had previously made an agreement that the recruitment of new trainee teachers would be exclusively from Sarawak, and the Sarawak government insists on upholding that commitment.

Abang Johari clarified that Sarawak is not opposed to teachers from Malaya. The decision to prioritise local recruitment is intended to reduce the number of transfer requests by teachers from Malaya serving in the state. This move aims to ensure stability and continuity in the teaching workforce within Sarawak.

“This is because sometimes when non-Sarawakians serve in Sarawak, after a short period, they would then request for transfer back to their home states. If they are Sarawakians they won’t ask for transfers outside the state, instead they will request to move within Sarawak.”

Both Sarawak Teachers’ Union (STU) and Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers Union (KGBS) were also saddened by the latest decision by the ESC and called for a reconsideration of the decision.

STU president Kullin Djayang said bringing in teachers from outside Sarawak would not solve the long-standing issue of teacher shortages.

“We have seen time and time again teachers from other states eventually return to their home states after a few years, leaving vacancies behind. This cycle only perpetuates the problem.”

Kullin concurred with the Premier, adding that as it stands, Sarawak appears to be a training ground for teachers from other states.

Describing the about-turn by the Education Service Commission (ESC) as counterproductive, he emphasized that such changes could undermine the effectiveness of the initiative and called for a focus on the original goals of addressing the teacher shortage in Sarawak.

The KGBS has stated that many teaching positions in Sarawak have been filled by individuals from outside the state, despite the availability of qualified locals.

They emphasised, “Teaching positions should be offered to Sarawakians, and they should be placed in their hometowns or nearby areas to avoid communication and socio-cultural challenges.”

Joining the call, the PBB Youth Movement expressed their frustration and urged the Federal Education Ministry to intervene and guide the Education Service Commission (ESC) on how to effectively address the teacher shortage in Sarawak once and for all.

For over six decades, we’ve worked toward a shared future, believing in a vision of togetherness and mutual respect.

Yet, the repeated failure to honour promises weakens that bond, creating frustration and disillusionment. We, in East Malaysia, continue to hope for a fairer and more honest partnership — one where words are backed by actions and trust is genuinely nurtured.

It is high time that those in power recognize the damage caused by this pattern of unreliability and take concrete steps to rebuild the trust and solidarity that should define our nation.

This repeated failure to honor promises not only jeopardizes the trust between regions but also undermines the unity that Malaysia was built upon.

If we are to truly move forward as a nation, those in positions of authority must prioritize transparency, fairness, and accountability.

Only through genuine efforts to rebuild trust can we hope to strengthen the bond between East and West Malaysia, and create a future where promises are kept and mutual respect is upheld.

The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Sarawak Tribune.