Four important lessons for Malaysia to learn from Scottish Referendum which was held in Scotland on yesterday morning – 1) Devolution promises to Scotland as part of union; 2) Democratic process of referendum takes place; 3) Civilized way to handle differences; 4) Restructure the federation system.
Although the outcome of Scottish Referendum poll says No to independence and remain within UK, however as many observers and experts have said, the UK institution and system will no longer the same in future. During the campaign, the unionist political parties leaders have made consensus and promised to devolve powers from Westminster to Edinburgh in order to vow the support of Scottish to vote No to independence.
This move, however, has proven that the current system which was practiced in Westminster had failed to comprehend the needs and development in Scotland. It was the same like what was practiced in Putrajaya, Malaysia.
The power in Westminster was too centralized and its equal partner like Scotland and Wales had fewer power. This is the one of the reasons why Scottish will keen for separatist movement and fight for Independence. As well as in Malaysia, instead of using colonial and outdated law Sedition Act to charge the separatist, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak should learn at British PM David Cameron on his civilized and democratic way to handle the differences in the nation and listen to the people in Sabah and Sarawak.
To do so, Malaysia firstly must upgrade Sabah and Sarawak Assembly Hall to be Sabah and Sarawak Parliament just like Scottish Parliament was set up in 1998 and given more powers to Sabah and Sarawak to decide on their taxation, welfare, education, health and etc, as what have promised in 20 Points / 18 Points Agreement as well as Malaysia Agreement.
As we Pakatan Rakyat have made promises in our manifesto that we recognize Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners within Federation of Malaysia and we promise that devolution and decentralization of power would take place if we win Putrajaya. I believe not all Sabahan and Sarawakian would keen for Independence, but they certainly feel unhappy over the injustice and imbalance distribution of wealth as well as the development in Sabah and Sarawak. That is the reason why I call upon BN federal government to listen to the people and take Scotland as example to devolve power to Sabah and Sarawak and honour to the federalism system.
I call upon Najib and Barisan Nasional to debate on federalism of Malaysia and the future of Sabah and Sarawak in coming parliament session.