We’ve come to the of the second last instalment of Wawancara Hari Kebangsaan, David Teoh, Sharizal Sharaani, Elfie, Politics 101, Zukri Aksah, Emmanuel Joseph, Tauke Fooji, Zulhabri Supian, Rajan Rishyakaran, Ong Boon Keong and Fathi Aris Omar discuss the relevance of Sabah / Sarawak 20 Points.

Shin : Are the “20 Points” which was meant to protect Sabahans and Sarawakians interest still relevant ? What are the effects to national integration, politics, economics and society, if it is maintained, reviewed or abolished ?

Fathi : I am very sorry. It is a very good and relevant question you raise here but I don’t really study the issue. Without much preparation, I do not think it is fair to comment. But I strongly believe this issue has to be looked at seriously. Perhaps next time, I will answer it.

BK : Actually the 20 points are to safeguard the interests of Sabah and Sarawak who formed Malaysia together with Malaya and even Singapore. The 20 points will be irrelevant when Sabah and Sarawak catch up with West Malaysia. However the imbalance resource flows from East to West Malaysia make the safeguard inadequate to do its job. So more political will is needed to fulfil the function of the 20 Points.

Under current situation the 20 points must be decided by the Sabahan and Sarawakians during reviews to see what they want to do with it. But the more important issue is the upliftment of the socio-economic status of East Malaysians. Eg Many illegal immigrants enter Sabah and acquire citizen status -but the Federal Government is not bothered enough to do something about it -even though part of the 20 Point is for the Sabah State Government to have some control over immigration matters.

Rajan : No. In fact, it is hindering both Sabah and Sarawak - not much businesses operate in Sabah and Sarawak simply because their labour options are limited to residents of their state. But replace those powers with equal powers of autonomy in all domestic affairs. Such autonomy should also be afforded to Malayan states.

Habri : Kita harus serahkan hal ini kepada rakyat Malaysia di Sabah dan Sarawak untuk menentukannya.

Tauke Fooji : I am not well-versed in this. However, I believe that no contracts, constitutions should be regarded as form of unquestionable deity, something so heavenly sacred. As a progressive nation, we should review from time to time to suit our progressive needs.

Emmanuel : It should be eventually done away with and Sabah and Sarawak should never feel less Malaysian.

Zukri : Saya rasa isu ini ada persamaan dengan isu Kontrak Sosial tadi, kita harus berbalik kepada semangat penubuhan Malaysia itu sendiri, tarikh yang akan kita sambut ulang tahunnya pada 16 September nanti. Jika semangatnya adalah integrasi sosial, politik dan ekonomi yang menyeluruh, maka kita harus lebih rasional dan bersedia untuk bergerak ke hadapan.

Dalam hal ini, Perlembagaan Persekutuan mesti dibina berasaskan kefahaman yang jitu terhadap aspirasi integrasi ini, di samping turut mengambil kira kepentingan etnik yang pelbagai dalam negara ini, serta tidak mengabaikan hak-hak eksklusif negeri-negeri yang bergabung di dalam Persekutuan ini, tidak hanya terhad kepada Sabah dan Sarawak sahaja.

Bila semangat sebegini berjaya diserapkan ke dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan, saya tidak nampak apa perlunya lagi Perjanjian 20 Perkara itu. Soal-soal seperti imegresen dan permit kerja itu bagi saya tidak lebih sekadar perkara kosmetik sahaja. Ini semua tidak lagi akan termasuk dalam perkiraan jika semangat yang saya sebutkan tadi boleh kita (seluruh rakyat Malaysia, dari Perlis sampailah ke Sabah) jiwai.

Poli : I support Sabah and Sarawak having some level of independent rule, including their right to insist on West Malaysians needing passports for entry and the control of the flow of labour from the peninsular. We must continue to respect the social contract our forefathers made with these terrorities as parts of the conditions and guarantees for them joining Malaysia.

Elfie : Sorry I know nothing about this, no comment…

Sharizal : Any form of change must be greeted equally enthusiastically by all parties. If there is a across the board call or change then why not? If there are needs to address issues pertaining to integration, politics etc, why can’t we deal with those issues individually first?

I think sometimes we stir up too much trouble for our own good when we can sort things out more effectively and peacefully by sorting it out on a priority basis…

David : The original intention was that Sabah, Sarawak and the Peninsular are equal partners. The special rights of Sabah and Sarawak should be maintained.