YOU either recognise Sarawak for its economic resilience and financial capacity or you don’t.
That is the fundamental principle for Malayan leaders regarding the treatment of Sarawak.
The issue stems from a duality in approach.
When it comes to disbursing aid, federal allocations and grant payments, there is a prevailing belief that “Sarawak is sufficiently prosperous and does not require such assistance”. Consequently, we must navigate the frugal practices of Peninsular Malaysia.
However, even though there are financial constraints, they are hesitant to recognise the true strength of the Sarawak economy, likely due to political considerations.
This is so that in elections, they could mock the Sarawak leaders in the state government due to how “poor” we are and that there’s “no progress” being made in terms of development.
I can still remember a certain federal opposition leader crying wolf over “poverty” in Sarawak. This particular leader now holds Malaysia’s top office.
In his words: “There are many poor districts (here), if I am the Chief Minister, I’d be embarrassed”. This was when campaigning in the 2022 General Election.
What is this? This sentiment will persist in the future, proving to be a powerful conversation starter, even in the absence of factual support or evidence.
It gets the right crowd-rousing, particularly those who are hell-bent on keeping their eye shut to development, denying that there is progress.
In the words of Sarawak’s former chief minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem: “Ada mata — buta, ada telinga — bengal, ada mulut — bisu” which means despite their senses saying that things are changing development-wise, they are in denial.
So, now, you are choosing to not acknowledge our success —fine. But please acknowledge the shortcomings.
Of course, there are people and areas which are not seeing the level of development and income they should be enjoying. This is probably due to low economic activity in that particular area.
In cases such as these, exactly what are you offering to these people? People who you claim to fight for in election speeches — those who are underserved and could be served better.
If it is the case, that in your eyes poverty is an issue, why is there still little in terms of commitment to developing Sarawak or at the very least, these “impoverished” and “development-stressed” areas?
Are they not worth fighting for? Or suddenly, it has become the sole responsibility of the Sarawak government to find solutions when solutions from Putrajaya might not be politically feasible or rewarding?
This is exactly what we saw when the federal economic minister this week said that “poor states”, referring to Sarawak along with Sabah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis, should not depend on the federal government.
He said that these states had been receiving higher than average federal allocations from Putrajaya and that the responsibility of reducing the poverty gap should also be shouldered by the state government.
Have you gone mad? That is exactly what the Sarawak government has been doing for donkey years.
His statement does not only show that he failed to understand the root cause of the issue but also reeks of entitlement and is a reflection of a flawed federal point of view.
In Sarawak’s case, exactly, where is this “higher than average” allocation? Is he referring to the special development allocation whereby we are given RM5.9 billion in the 2025 Federal Budget?
This RM5.9 billion figure was a slight increase from the RM5.8 billion in the 2024 Budget, which slightly increased from RM5.6 billion in the 2023 Budget.
To put things into perspective, the Sarawak 2025 Budget is valued at RM15.8 billion.
The litany of recently completed bridges, which is part of the revamped Sarawak coastal road network costs more than RM5 billion — with RM5 billion being a figure earmarked many years ago during the inception of these mega projects.
Other infrastructure needs such as clean water and electricity are similarly costly and are borne by the Sarawak government.
What I am trying to point out is that the allocation from Putrajaya pales in comparison to the amount coughed up by the Sarawak government.
But when the state is demanding the restoration of certain rights which allow economic returns to shore up its finances, we are being accused of being “greedy” and “selfish” — killing so-called “golden gooses”.
The point is: You can’t have your cake and eat it too. Give Sarawak its due and when you do, don’t be blinded by its progress.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Sarawak Tribune.
