NATIVES OF SABAH, LOOK BACK AT HISTORY!

DEPORTED…. Lim Kit Siang forcefully ‘returned’ into the aircraft in 1984.

By: DR EDWIN BOSI

31ST August 1957 is Malaya independence from the British. 31st August 1963 was supposed to be Malaysia day. Due to some documentation problem, Sabah and Sarawak gained independence from the British on 16th September 1963 and decided to join Malaya and Singapore in the formation of Malaysia. It is appropriate that Sabahans particularly the Malaysian Natives of Sabah re-visit the moment in history.

Since independence, Sabah population growth rate is exceptionally fast. In 1960, Sabah then only registered a population of less than a million but in about four decades the population is now about 3.2 millions.

Sabah population growth rate has out-paced every States in Malaysia. By taking Sarawak as a benchmark, Sarawak which was ahead of Sabah by 50% in the 60s is now trailing behind.
The surge in Sabah’s population is directly linked to the legalisation of illegal immigrants from the Philippines and Indonesia. It is all about politics of number. It is an open secret.

Two books namely ‘IC Projek, Agenda Tersembunyi Mahathir?’ by Mutalib M.D and ‘Lest We Forget’ by Dr. Chong Eng Leong outlined the covert program by the BN Federal government in ‘multiplying’ the Muslim population and voters in order to get the upper hand and ensure lasting political power. The books are openly sold and the content discussed openly in public.

The government is listening but does not attempt to take the authors to court. It can be implied then that the legalisation of illegal immigrants in Sabah by the BN government is therefore real and true.

To make it more realistic, the election court which rendered BN’s winning in Likas to be null and void was due to the presence of illegal voters in the electoral roll. Unfortunately, the BN government quickly amended the Election Act to ensure that the electoral roll once gazetted cannot be contested in any court of law in Malaysia. Sabah DAP is planning to challenge this ruling.

In 1957, Malaya’ population was about 6.3 million people, Sabah about 440,000 and Sarawak about 745,000. The Kadazan formed about 54% of the population then, the Chinese about 23% and the rest was the Bajau and other Muslim groups.

In 1963, the Kadazans and non-Muslim ethnic groups comprised approximately 43% of the population of about half a million, 23% Bajau and other Muslim groups and 23% Chinese. According to the Cobbold’s Commission, one third of the population agreed to the formation of Malaysia, one third disagreed and the other third was undecided when a referendum was taken in 1963 or earlier.

When Sabah decided to be partners in the formation of Malaysia in 1963, the Kadazans and non-Muslim indigenous groups had a fair share of that decision. The 20-points were included as safeguards for Sabah within Malaysia.

Despite their lower population, USNO which was a Muslim-based party managed to secured equal number seats with UPKO, and by teaming up with the Chinese, USNO became the government.

It is undeniable that the 20-points safeguards became eroded during the time of USNO and Berjaya governments. People like Dusun leader G S Sundang in the Interior saw what was coming when he resisted to the idea of Malaysia.

The 43% Kadazan, Dusun and Murut including the other indigenous groups became a mere 2.7% of the Malaysian population in 1963. The Natives in Sabah has become so diluted and insignificance in Malaysia. It is ironical that after the formation of Malaysia Sabah became one of the 13th States in Malaysia.

DAP Advisor and veteran politician, Lim Kit Siang came to Sabah to awaken the Natives only to be booted out of the State by force. Historically, the Muslim Natives and Chinese combine force had made USNO the government in Sabah.

The non-Muslim Natives and Chinese combine force had led to the fall of USNO government in 1975 and the Berjaya government in 1985. Unfortunately a democratically elected PBS government in 1994 collapsed under the dirty underhand tactic of the BN Federal government.

Once again Lim Kit Siang has been visiting Sabah and telling the Malaysian Natives of Sabah that they are kingmakers in the coming 13th general election. Their votes can save Sabah and save Malaysia.

The Sabah Natives have long been marginalised in all fields and practically has no political clout under the UMNO-dominated BN government. Lim Kit Siang has repeatedly asked them to wake up and evaluate their position in BN. Lim Kit Siang urged the Malaysian Natives of Sabah to be brave and vote for change. He said the only party that will give them a future is Pakatan Rakyat.