A People-Centric Government Based Not Only On Power And Interests But Also On Morals(Of Right And Wrong) As Well As Values(Of Justice And Freedom).
Following the shocking flip-flop by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who has back-tracked on his thrice-promised repeal of the Sedition Act followed by the Attorney-General using the Sedition Act to selectively prosecute not only PR leaders but even a law professor, many Sabahans and Sarawakians no longer believe in the BN 2013 general election promises. BN had promised to improve infrastructure development on par with that of Peninsular Malaysia, ensure public security, poverty-eradication and health programmes as well as the aboliton of cabotage policy so that all Malaysians can enjoy one price for one similar product.
No one hears of such promises now. This makes claims by BN leaders in both Sabah and Sarawak demanding an increase in oil royalties from 5% to 20% an empty propaganda to distract attention from how much people from both states have lost out in terms of enjoying the fruits of their own resources.
DAP believes Sabah and Sarawak’s future is in Malaysia. DAP believes that just like the 307-year old Scottish union with the United Kingdom, Sabah and Sarawak will benefit more because of their union with Peninsular Malaysia to form Malaysia. For this reason, Sabah and Sarawak must be treated as an equal partner with Peninsular Malaysia. New policies must therefore be designed to benefit ordinary Sabahans and Sarawakians and replace old policies that favour cronies of BN from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
It is no longer acceptable that the poorest live in Sabah and Sarawak, many without basic amenities of water and electricity supply, and also with the worst corruption and abuse of power. It is no longer acceptable either that Sabahans and Sarawakians pay more for the same product sold in Peninsular Malaysia. Neither is it acceptable to lack good schools and teachers or even internet connectivity. Natural resources like land, timber, port and communication facilities should not be monoplised by the few but given out by open competitive tenders to Sabahans and Sarawakians.
All these could be overcome in 5 years, a single term of power if we apply the wealth from Sabah and Sarawak’s resources to the real owners, the over 6 million ordinary citizens. Sabah and Sarawak can be corrupt-free, there will no more poor people, they can enjoy a comparable standard of living as their brothers and sisters from Peninsular Malaysia and most important of all, they can live with dignity.
This requires a departure from the present standard model of governance by BN devoted exclusively to the exercise of power and interests. There should be a new people-centric government based not just on power and interests but also on morals(of right and wrong) as well as values(of justice and freedom).
Focusing only about power and interests produces more heat than light without making any difference in the ordinary lives of the rakyat. By focusing on universal morals and common values that not only bind and unite us but also let us live with dignity, we can shine the light towards a brighter and more hopeful future. Let us make the 51st Malaysia Day celebrations memorable by committing ourselves to not only doing things right but also doing the right thing.