KOTA KINABALU – The prime minister’s declaration that Sabah and Sarawak are “wilayah” (regions) continues to stoke furore among residents, who are calling on Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to walk the talk when it comes to restoring the two states’ equal status to Malaya.
They are also demanding a clear definition of the word.
“It may be a good move, but what does it (region) mean? There is no legal effect,” said Sabahan business executive Anthony Wong.
“If the PM is truly serious, he should restore the state’s maritime boundaries, which have been limited to three nautical miles from the continental shelf since the May 13 riots (in 1969).
“The federal government should also honour the state’s annual grant, which is payment in lieu of the natural resources and wealth that have been accumulated, and provide the necessary development pledged since the formation of Malaysia.
“The reality is, the word ‘region’ is nothing but just a word. It has no meaning.”
Giving Sabah and Sarawak a “new name” does not mean anything unless the prime minister is serious about amending the federal constitution and restoring the equal status of both states, he said.
Aaliyah Chong, a 35-year-old teacher from Sandakan, concurred, and said if Muhyiddin is sincere about wanting to elevate Sabah and Sarawak’s status, he should go about the matter properly instead of just blurting it out at an event, causing public confusion.
“Wilayah” is confusing and misleading, she said, as people could think of “wilayah persekutuan”, or Federal Territory – the last thing that Sabah wanted.
“They need to explain what ‘wilayah’ means in this context.
“This is not the time to be playing with our feelings because Sabah and Sarawak have been feeling left out and isolated for so long.
“We are separated by the sea, and all the major developments have been concentrated in the peninsula.
“We feel like stepchildren in this country.
“Doing a confusing thing like this will make us feel even more ostracised.
“If they want to elevate Sabah and Sarawak’s status, do it right.
“Perhaps, make it big, like announce it on Malaysia Day or hold a celebration to mark the event, so that the whole country, including the peninsula, acknowledges our status.”
The uproar began when Muhyiddin, during a visit to Sarawak recently, reportedly said the ruling Perikatan Nasional recognises the state as one of Malaysia’s three regions.
This sparked talk that the prime minister has instructed the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to change the name of its branches in Sabah and Sarawak to “wilayah”.
Sandakan hotel assistant manager Chan Tzun Hei simply wants to know the truth.
“Just as we’re wondering what changing ‘negeri’ (state) to ‘wilayah’ will mean to us, we are told that it is fake news.
“The announcement was a mess, unorganised.
“Let’s say it is true; then, there will be tonnes of questions that need to be answered.
“It should be debated and announced in Parliament in detail, such as (matters related to) allocation, power of the government and executive, changes to the rule of law. And, will it remain as state legislative assembly, or be changed to regional assembly?
“All this needs an explanation, and we are concerned about the implications.” –The Vibes, April 12, 2021
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