Saturday, 14 June 2025

Analyst slams ‘paternalistic’ treatment of Borneo states

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Chin during the forum.

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BY NURA V LORNA & JAMES WONG

KUCHING: The federal government has long treated Sabah and Sarawak’s natural resources as part of the national treasury, sidelining the autonomy of the Borneo states, said political analyst Professor James Chin.

“The Malayan political elites have always considered natural resources as part of the national treasury,” Chin, professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania, Australia, said during a forum on Sarawak’s Role in Nation Building at MBKS Auditorium on Friday.

This perspective, deeply entrenched since Malaysia’s formation in 1963, reflects a unitary, rather than federal, approach, he added.

“The Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA 1974) was introduced without consulting Sabah and Sarawak leaders, highlighting the federal government’s disregard for their ownership of these resources,” he said.

He further noted a paternalistic attitude from Peninsular Malaysians towards East Malaysians, stemming from a perception of inferiority.

This has marginalised Sabahans and Sarawakians and reinforced stereotypes of underdevelopment in the Borneo states.

This mindset began to shift only after issues surrounding the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) gained prominence post-2008.

Chin also highlighted the disparity in infrastructure development between Peninsular Malaysia and the Borneo states, citing the unfinished Pan Borneo Highway as an example.

“You all know the standard joke, right? They got the Petronas Twin Towers. Do you know why it’s called the Twin Towers? Because one tower was paid for by oil and gas from Sarawak, and the other was paid for by oil and gas from Sabah. That’s why it’s the Twin Towers,” he quipped.

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