Unequal Partners

Author: Joe Samad
Publisher: SIRD
ISBN: 9786297575063
Weight: 0.367
Pages: 207pp
Year: 2023
Price: RM38.00

Malaysia desperately needs a new perspective and a new narrative to rid itself of the 60-year yoke of regressive policies and politicking that has stifled its advancement. Race, religion and identity politics still dominate the national narrative. The solution to these destructive politics will not come from the peninsula. It is Sabah and Sarawak, with its history of racial harmony and religious tolerance that we must look to for that new perspectives, direction, and leadership. Talk of ketuanan Melayu and the supremacy of one race or religion is anathema to the people of Borneo states. These West Malaysian narratives have presented a real threat to the racial and religious harmony we have enjoyed in East Malaysia. In Sabah and Sarawak, there is no concept of a single dominant race, as we are all citizens of the nation called Malaysia with equal rights. Sabah and Sarawak did not join Malaysia, the two states were equal partners in its formation. Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak gave birth to this nation together; without Sabah and Sarawak, there is no Malaysia. It is time the federal government acknowledges the massive contribution of Sabah and Sarawak, especially its oil resources, to the wealth of the nation.