Independent Sarawak: To be or not to be

It may remain a dream as the people are economically, culturally and socially dependent on Malaya (Peninsular).

Revolt is brewing on the internet with calls for a people’s referendum in 2016 for Sarawak to withdraw from the Malaysia Agreement and stand independent in 2018.

But is Sarawak ready to be independent?

In order to be independent in 2018, Sarawakians must be prepared to leave their ‘comfort zone’.

They must be prepared to go through enormous changes and most importantly shed their dependence on Malaysia and Malaya (Peninsular).

Truth is Sarawakians are dependent and ‘addicted’ to all things Malayan.

After more than 50 years in the Federation of Malaysia, Sarawakians have become entrenched in the Peninsular Malayan culture.

To divorce themselves now from Malaya might be easier said than done.

Sarawakians are economically, culturally, socially and personally bound to Malaya.

A large number of Sarawakians are working in Malayan companies or attached to federal departments and agencies.

These folk may not be so enthusiastic to see Sarawak separate from Malaysia.

Heavily influenced society

Sarawakians are also highly dependent on Malayan goods and services, even when better and cheaper local alternatives are available.

Local products have over the years been portrayed as being of ‘substandard quality’ and even ‘hazardous’, hence the bias.

The Malayan culture and lifestyle heavily influences the Sarawakians’ daily life through Malay literature, films, TV shows, songs and sports (i.e Malaysia Cup football).

The decades of socio-cultural infiltration has left Sarawakians obsessed to the extent of forgetting their own heritage.

Sarawakians are also socially dependent on Malaya, especially in areas of administration, education, health and politics.

This cannot be avoided as Sarawak is still lacking in these areas. But this does not mean it should continue to be fully dependent on Malaya.

On the political front too, local parties suffer from ‘bad press’. They too are portrayed as ‘weak and incapable’ against politically well packaged Malayan-based DAP, PKR and PAS.

The ruling Sarawak Barisan Nasional although comprising ‘local’ parties – PBB, PBRS, SPDP and SUPP – are also seen as ‘heavily influenced’ by their Malayan ‘master’ Umno, despite their occasional muscle flexing.

And on a very personal level, many Sarawakians have Malayan spouses. They fear that if Sarawak secedes from Malaysia, complications will arise over their spouses’ citizenship.

Cutting the apron strings

To be economically independent, Sarawakians must start buying local goods to support and assist the growth of the local industries.

Those currently working in or with Malayan entities should consider these entities as ‘foreign’ and preferably return home and work in Sarawak when the opportunity presents itself.

It is time for the people, especially the younger generation, to make an educated choice if they want to be part of this big change. An independent Sarawak will be a big change.

The younger generation must be proud of their own culture, their own roots and their own country. They must strive to know more about their country and look at the bigger picture.

They must make the changes needed for their own future and for the greater good of Sarawak.

The change does not have to be immediate, it can be made at their own time and pace.

But this change must be a conscious effort if Sarawakians want freedom and total independence.

FMT Borneo Plus