‘Good governance with good intentions is the hallmark of our government. Implementation with integrity is our core passion.’
— Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India
Last Saturday, I wrote an article titled, “Leave Sarawak out of Putrajaya’s ‘sick’ policies”, in my column in Malaysiakini.
I specifically mentioned the Education Ministry’s directive for national schools to organise a “Palestinian Solidarity Week” and the instruction from the Prime Minister’s Office that all correspondences with government departments must be written in Bahasa Melayu. To me, these were ‘sick’ policies from Putrajaya.
The fundamental differences between the peoples of Malaya and Sabah and Sarawak were also scrutinised and I mentioned in passing that if we cannot settle them, perhaps it’s best that we go our separate ways.
I was very surprised that the article has gone viral on the same day it was published. I’m aware when that happened because of the deluge of emails I’ve received and the many comments from Malaysiakini readers.
Today, allow me to share some of the emails which came from “strangers” as I find them very meaningful and written with sincerity and honesty.
I believe this is one of the rare occasions when I share emails in this column. I did not obtain permission from the writers, so I will just end each mail with a singular name.
These are also good vibes for Sarawak and I’m happy and proud to share them with my fellow Sarawakians.
Here goes:
I read your article and I am a Malayan. I have been observing the policies of the unity government and comparing them with those of the past 65 years. Sadly, there is nothing different.
I am not into politics but I have been studying the policies of your Sarawak Premier and find them very positive. You don’t have to be a graduate to understand them. For your info, I have travelled to most of the rural areas of Sarawak and Sabah in the course of duty for almost 20 years (1998-2017) before I retired in 2017.
The people in Sarawak and Sabah are a fine example of what Malaysians should be about.
I hope and wish to meet you for further discussion. Your comments are exactly what I have been advocating for more than 20 years. — Kwong
I would like urge the people of Borneo to teach others their values, cultures, beliefs, tolerance and harmony practised by the people in general. Please keep the momentum going in East Malaysia and stay true to all your good, humanitarian values.
I know very few Sarawakians and Sabahans but I have heard a lot of their way of life.
Never ever be influenced by the 3R issues in the peninsula. Let me send my love to all people of Borneo. — Siva
I couldn’t agree more with your views although I am not a Sarawakian.
How can your Sarawak government be so inclusive and uphold fairness to benefit all at large while Malayan politicians emphasise more on race/religion issues to run the country.
We need more voices from Sarawak and Sabah now to balance and neutralise the scary direction of Malayans towards extremism. — Teh
I am a nonagenarian, 3rd generation Malaysian and the only surviving member of four PWD engineers tasked by the late Tunku Abdul Rahman to design, construct and supervise the completion of Merdeka Stadium before 31 August 1957. However, for obvious reasons, I am now living overseas.
I salute you for your boldness in writing about Putrajaya’s ‘sick’ policies but regretfully, I cannot find a Malay politician with credibility and dignity in Malaysia.
Nonetheless, please continue expressing your views publicly with courage and speak up with vigour when things are not right. Good luck and stay safe. — LKT
I fully support your views, may you continue to speak up for common sense and justice.
The rest of the coalition parties in the Madani government appear to have lost their “voices” (or their “marbles”.)
I am from Kuala Lumpur and I see so many positive aspects in Sarawak which I admire. I must try to get a residency status in Sarawak before the secession happens.
I am sure many, if not all non-Muslims in the peninsula, agree with you and I want you to know that.
Please Sarawakians, be strong and stand up for your rights and your beliefs. — Rebecca
I am a Sarawakian living in Sibu. Thank you once again for a wonderful and well-written article.
Personally, I feel the PM has forgotten who put him in power. He has been acting very arrogantly of late especially where Sarawak is concerned. Whither go his “reformasi” policies for he is sounding like some past PMs now?
My heart goes out to the non-Malays living in Malaya for some Malays are getting more and more fanatical so much so that it’s going to be unlivable soon.
I agree with you that Sarawak should secede. — Lucy
We read your article with great comfort and admiration. While we are from Malaya, and are non-Malays, we have watched with horror the scope of nonsensical programmes and directives aimed at vying for the Malay votes. In so doing, PMX is sacrificing the opportunity to build a truly Malaysian Malaysia.
We were born and had lived for over 60 years in Malaysia. We have accepted all the unfair treatment they have thrown at us hoping that one day, we may be a true nation. But this is destroying everything we ever believe in Malaysia.
We’ve even considered moving to Sarawak if ever Sarawak secede from Malaysia. At this rate anything is possible. We want to live out our lives in dignity and nor be subjected to such horrific indolence.
Thank you for speaking out for us. I, for one, wholly support what you’ve written. You may remind the PM and the bunch of monkeys in the Parliament many of us in Malaya too are fed up with what is going on. May you always stay blessed and safe. — YC
Due to space constraint, I have to end here. I hope there will be another opportunity to share more of the emails from well-meaning readers.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
