STATE REFORM PARTY (STAR) SARAWAK: RISE OF 21ST CENTURY SARAWAK NATIONALISM - LINA SOO

RISE OF 21ST CENTURY SARAWAK NATIONALISM

If I were to be asked what would be the most important event that happened to Sarawak in 2013, my answer undoubtedly would be ‘722’.

Indeed Sarawak is not short of nationalist figures in its history since genesis on 24 September 1841. The stories of Rentap, the Orang Ulu, the Malay in the 1946 Anti-Cession movement, Rosli Dhoby, the Kedayan in the Borneo War 1962, the Chinese and Dayaks in the Anti-Malaysia movement – all of them would be brutally crushed by the Brooke government, the British colonial government and the British/Malaya armed forces.

Fast forward to 2013, Sarawak’s 50th year in the federation of Malaysia. By now Sarawak’s population had trebled from 750,000 in 1960 to 2.3million.

For the first time in 50 years, some Sarawak nationalists came together, willingly and with one heart, to hold an Independence Walk, on the 50th anniversary of Sarawak’s first self-government headed by Stephen Kalong Ningkan who was sworn in as Sarawak’s first Chief Minister on 22 July 1963. Not complete independence from its colonial status in total, but a significant step towards self-rule. 

On 20th July 2013 on a fine Sunday morning, a civil movement of 120 Sarawakians of all races, religion and political ideologies, supported by more than 10 Sabahans , walked from Ban Hock Road to Central Padang. 120 in a population of 2.3million may not count for much, but our semangat was herculean, and each step we took was a giant leap forward.

(We do not at this time acknowledge Central Padang as Padang Merdeka, not until Sarawak is totally merdeka dan berdaulat in its own right, totally and unreservedly).

On 22 July, the Sarawak government would hold an official ceremony to commemorate our 50th year of self-government. For the first time.

May the flame of Sarawak nationalism burn even brighter in 2014. 

Sarawak For Sarawakians, then and now, for keeps.

Happy New Year!

Lina Soo is a candidate for State Reform Party (STAR) for P196 Stampin, Sarawak in GE-13 and the author of popular book "Sarawak the Real Deal"

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STATE REFORM PARTY (STAR) SARAWAK: NEW YEAR 2014, EXPOSE (JOINT MEMORANDUM TO UNITED NATIONS 1962) - LINA SOO

JOINT MEMORANDUM TO UNITED NATIONS 1962
by: Peoples’ Party of Brunei/Sarawak United Peoples’ Party/United National Pasuk Memonggon Party of Sabah

9th September 1962

The Secretary-General, United Nations Organization, New York

Sir

We the undersigned representing our respective parties in the territories of Sarawak, British North Borneo and Brunei have the honour to submit herewith a Joint Memorandum with a view to having it placed before the Committee on Colonies of the UN Organizations or any other competent body for consideration and with a view to seeking the intervention of the UN in the proposed transfer of Sovereignty in British North Borneo (Sabah) and Sarawak by the United Kingdom to the proposed Federation of Malaysia without the exercise of the right of self-determination by the peoples in these territories, in contravention to the spirit and letter of the Declaration of the UN and the Resolution 1514 (XV) of the UN General Assembly of the 14th December 1960. 

We further request that in view of the urgency of the matter earliest opportunity be given to us for making oral representations before the Committee.

Yours faithfully

The United National Pasok Momogun Party of Sabah
(G.S. Sundang) Chairman

The Sarawak United Peoples’ Party
(Ong Kee Hui) Chaiman

The Party Rakyat (Peoples Party)
(A.M. Azahari Mahmud) Chairman

The Secretary-General, Sarawak United Peoples’ Party
P.O. Box 454, Kuching, Sarawak

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

LAMPIRAN D

MEMORANDUM SUPP/PRB/PMP KE U.N.

1.The Memorandum is submitted by the following political organizations in the British Borneo territories of the British North Borneo, Brunei and Sarawak viz:

(1) PMP of British North Borneo – a political party with a membership to date of over 30,000 comprising largely of the native inhabitants of North Boreno with few hundred Chinese who are either born in North Borneo or have made North Borneo their home and the object of their loyalty.
(2) PRB, a party established in Brunei since 1956 with a membership of 26,000 comprising all races in Brunei and receiving the overwhelming support of Brunei’s population of 84,000.
(3) SUPP, the first political party to be formed and is the largest party in Sarawak with a membership to date of 47,000 comprising all races who live in Sarawak and therefore a most representative Party. Every one in eight of the adult population in Sarawak is a member of the Party.

2. Those 3 political parties represent the nationalist movement in the territories started independently of each other, are striving for the natural aspiration of the peoples in the British Borneo territories to achieving self-government and independence.

3. Sarawak and British North Borneo (also known as Sabah) are British colonies without any representative government. The Government of United Kingdom has however repeatedly given the pledge that the people in those territories shall be granted self-government and independence.

4. Until the middle of the 19th century, the Sultan of Brunei had exercised sovereignty over Sarawak and over large parts of Sabah. The State of Brunei is a Protectorate of the United Kingdom and through her High Commissioner she can assert and has in fact exercised great influence in the conduct of political affairs in this State. It has no representative government.

5. In 1958 the colonial government of Sarawak and Sabah in pursuance of the Policy of the Greater Kingdom of Great Britain at that time called for closer association of the territories of Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei with a view to forming a federation of these territories. The peoples in these territories were urged to accept the same as prerequisite to grant independence.

6. On 27th May 1961, the PM of the Federation of Malaya Tengku Abdul Rahman made a statement on the concept of Malaysia. At the prompting of the representatives of Governments of Malaya and Singapore, the delegates from North Borneo (Sabah) and Sarawak attending the regional Commonwealth Parliamentary Association meeting, proposed the formation of the Malaysia Solidarity Consultative Committee (M.S.C.C.). The pace of and the line taken by this Committee was set or influenced by the representative of the governments of Singapore and Malaya.

7.On 23 November 1961 a joint statement was issued by the British and Malayan Governments to the effect that formation of a “Federation of Malaysia” was a desirable aim and that a Commission was to be set up to ascertain the views of the peoples of Sabah and Sarawak and to make recommendations.

8. The composition of the Commission was Lord Cobbold (Chairman) Sir Anthony Abell (a former Governor of Sarawak) Sir David Wetherston, Dato Wong Pow Nee and Encil Mohammad Bhazali bin Shafie. The Chairman was a joint choice by the British and Malayan Governments, and of the four members two were nominated by the British Government and two by the Malayan Government.

9. In view of the decision of the British Government, and the Colonial Governments of Sarawak and Sabah were bound to support the formation of Malaysia and had utilised every propaganda machine at their disposal to put the proposal in the most favourable light. In Sarawak and elsewhere charges were indiscriminately made on the people who were against Malaysia as Communists, a description equivalent to bandits or foreign agents. 

10. The Commission sat in 20 centres in Sarawak and 15 in Sabah and saw over 4,000 people in 690 groups in both Sarawak and Sabah. No referendum was taken.

11. The Government of Brunei set up its own Committee to ascertain the views of the people there and to forward the findings to His Highness the Sultan.

12. As no public demonstrations were allowed when the Commission was in the Colony of Sarawk, a national signature company was launched. Some over 112,000 signatures of adult persons opposing the Malaysia Plan were collected and forwarded to the Commission. These signatures were obtained in very short time and in fact of adverse government propaganda. In term of the total population (750,000), 55% of whom are not adults, the persons against Malaysia are substantially large.

13. The assessment of the Commisson was that one third of the population strongly favoured realisation of Malaysia without condition, one third favoured it with condition and safeguards and the rest against. This assessment was totally wrong and could not be supported by facts and could not be accepted by independent impartial observers.

14. In August 1962 in a joint Communique issued by the British and Malayan Governments, it was stated that the proposed Federation of Malaysia should be brought into being by 31st August and within six months a formal agreement would be concluded to provide for the transfer of sovereignty in Sabah and Sarawak by that state.

15. This decision was against the letter and spirit of the Charter of the UN and particularly its Resolution 1514 (XV) of 14th December 1960 and of the Nine Cardinal Principles of the Rules of the White Rajah which form part of the present Constitution of Sarawak. The said Principles are annexed hereto and marked “a”.

16. The findings of the Committee set up by H.M. the Sultan of Brunei was that the overwhelming majority of the people in the State is against the federation of Malaysia.

17. At the recent general election, candidates of PRB, the only Party in Brunei against the Federation of Malaysia and fighting the elections on that platform were all returned, by winning all the 55 seats.

18. The signatories to this memorandum appeal to the UN and urged that: 

(1) the UN should , in pursuance to its declaration and resolutions, intervene in the proposed transfer of sovereignty in Sarawak and Sabah on the ground that such a transfer is a denial to the peoples in these territories of their right to self determination and of their right to complete independence.
(2) Alternatively that a plebiscite organized and conducted by UN be held before such transfer of sovereignty.
(3) In accordance with the peoples’ freely expressed will and desire and our belief, a federation of Union of the three Borneo territories viz Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei be brought about with his Highness the Sultan of Brunei as the Constitutional Head of such Federation or Union.

Dated this 9th September 1962.

The United National Pasok Momogun Party
(G.S. Sundang)
The Partai Rakyat of Brunei
(A.M. Azahari Mahmud)
The Sarawak United Peoples’ Party
(Ong Kee Hui)
-----------------------------------------------

The Sub-Committee (the Committee on Petitions) of the UN at its 25th meeting held on 14th September 1962 considered the Memorandum and recommended to the Special Committee that “the request for hearing contained in this communication be granted.” (A/AC.109/PET.46).

The information to grant a hearing to the representatives of the three parties which submitted the joint Memorandum was relayed to the Secretary-General, SUPP by the Under-Secretary, for Trusteeship and Information from Non-Self-Governing Territories of the UN.
------------------------------------------------

Today is the last day of 2013. I would like to close this day with this very important historical document with the message: One day our Sarawak and Sabah flags will fly proudly with all other nations' flags here at UN New York. I am sure we will. Happy New Year, may 2014 bring us one year closer to our aspiration. Lina.

Lina Soo is a candidate for State Reform Party (STAR) for P196 Stampin, Sarawak in GE-13 and the author of popular book "Sarawak the Real Deal"

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STATE REFORM PARTY (STAR) SABAH: ‘BN bullying, lying to Sabahans’ - YB DATUK DR. JEFFREY KITINGAN

Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan is the Chairman of STAR Sabah and State Assemblymen for N33, Bingkor, Sabah.

He also contested in P180, Keningau garnering 11900 strong votes

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah state assembly representatives on the other side of the divide are struggling to fend off claims by Barisan Nasional coalition leaders that only the BN can bring development to the various constituencies.

One of them has even called the claim a deception aimed at misleading ordinary Malaysians especially in the rural constituencies where many have been waiting for better basic facilities and amenities such as clean water, steady electricity supply and even roads.

Bingkor assemblyman Jeffrey Kitingan, who’s been the most vocal said that it was disconcerting to note that it had become the standard for the Umno and BN leaders to make big claims but not be forthcoming when they are in power.

“It is sad for Malaysia that BN ministers and BN leaders have to stoop so low to continue with lies and deception to fool ordinary Malaysians that only the Barisan Nasional can bring about development for their constituencies

“This is used against the opposition and played up by the mainstream media controlled by the Umno/BN government,” he said, adding that even the media that is not controlled by the BN feel bullied and threatened to such an extent that the news becomes distorted or censored.

“The truth is that the statement that only Umno/BN can bring about development is a blatant lie,” he said when making a point that the same coalition government had ignored the needs of the people when the same constituencies were under their sway.

Kitingan said it was frustrating to note that such statements were accepted as the ‘truth’ by simple rural folk who had been starved of development assistance owed to them by any responsible government.

These people, he said, are being conned into believing that whatever development projects that are being implemented in their villages is not their right but a gift by the Umno/BN government.

“Even official government projects are advertised in billboards as another project by the BN. Nothing is further from the truth,” Kitingan said.

He said it was sad that the government had to perpetuate these lies to erase the line between the responsibility of any government and the Umno/BN.

“They are different when it comes to implementing projects.  The undisputed fact is that every single government project is not by Umno/BN but by the ruling government of the day.

“When the Umno/BN do not form the ruling government, the development projects will still be undertaken by the non-Umno/BN government.

“Development projects do not stop if Umno/BN do not form the government. It is the responsibility of the ruling government of the day to undertake development projects whether it is a school, a road, road repairs or even basic treated water and electricity,” he said.

BN failure

Kitingan who is also STAR Sabah chairman, said the BN was playing politics with government responsibilities.

“If any people do not get treated water but just gravity-fed water supply or no electricity supply or no proper sealed roads, it only means that the ruling government has failed the people.

“The failure is that of the government that is led by Umno/BN.

“The people need to realise the truth behind these lies. For instance in Selangor, Penang and Kelantan, the projects are undertaken by the government of the day which is the Pakatan.

“The Umno/BN in these states carry out no project whatsoever other than projects which are undertaken by the federal government,” he pointed out.

He said it was despicable that the federal and state governments were holding back on development projects to punish the people in opposition-held constituencies.

“They have no right to deprive the people in opposition constituencies of any development project as it the right of any individual to vote whichever party he or she chooses.

“If the Umno/BN-led federal and state governments still wish to use development projects as their trump card to punish voters who voted for the opposition, then they should stop collecting taxes from these opposition voters.

“Let only Umno/BN voters pay taxes and let the Umno/BN government to use these taxes to fund their development projects.

“The same goes for BR1M hand-outs. The money that funds these BR1M hand-outs are public money contributed by all tax-payers not only Umno/BN party members or their voters,” he contended.

He quipped that  Umno/BN leaders would next be claiming to be Santa Clauses when giving out these BR1M hand-outs during the festive season and claim credit for them even though the money does not belong to them.

Credits: FMT

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STATE REFORM PARTY (STAR) SARAWAK: Congratulations for surviving 2013...may we do better in 2014 - DR. PATAU RUBIS

State Reform Party, Sarawak (STAR) chairman Dr Patau Rubis

Despite all the challenges and follies of 2013, we are still here, mostly happy and well... the sick, the poor, handicap have made through another year living to the level they can...

We can always do better if we do what is needed to be better off..

Congratulations for surviving 2013...may we do better in 2014.

by Dr. Patau Rubis 

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OUTSPOKEN: 31/12/13

http://www.theantdaily.com/news/2013/12/31/time-goodwill-sobriety-and-sanity-restore-unity

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OPEN LETTER TO THE CHIEF MINISTER OF SARAWAK ON FALSE POLICE REPORTS ON LAWFUL END OF YEAR CELEBRATIONS

Borneo Wiki

DRAFT LETTER 2013

OPEN LETTER TO THE CHIEF MINISTER OF SARAWAK ON FALSE POLICE REPORTS ON LAWFUL END OF YEAR CELEBRATIONS

This is a private draft letter just received and is addressed to the Sarawak Chief Minister expressing concern over the "police reports" against the 722/916 open gathering today.

It is offered to Readers for consideration and comments.

Dear Pehin Sri Taib Mahmud,

We write to express our deep concern over irresponsible, unfounded and unwarranted "police reports' made by certain persons complaining about some people and or groups allegedly calling for the overthrow of the foreign Malayan government in relation to a lawful gathering in Kuching to mark the end of 2013.

We believe that this is a provocation calculated to create tension and divisions in Sarawak prior to the forthcoming State elections and perpetrated in opposition to your government's support of Sarawak Independence Day events.

One of the most important political developments of 2103 has been your government's support for the peaceful and joyful 722 Independence Walk to commemorate our Independence Day and which took place on 21 July 2013 without incidents.

The Borneo Heritage Foundation has also officially presented a memorandum calling for recognition of Sarawak Independence Day to your office in appreciation of your support.

Your government's welcome support for the event was clear to all.

Further, your government also reinforced our Independence Day with a pantomime and held an exhibition on Sarawak Independence. All these actions have gained widespread approval and support throughout our country Fair Land Sarawak.

The widespread popular support for Sarawak Independence is also evident in many public events such as soccer matches where the Sarawak flag is proudly displayed.

We are now alarmed that these “Police reports” are being lodged so as to give the Malayan police an excuse to harass innocent parties who want to celebrate lawful end of the year activities related to Sarawak Independence.

This was what happened in the Kota Kinabalu at the 916 Occupation Day Rally on 16 September the day our country was annexed by Malaya.

On that occasion the Malayan police surrounded and outnumbered people at the rally and harassed them by photographing and taking down their ID details in a perfectly peaceful assembly.

FALSE REPORTS BY UNSEEN HANDS TO DESTABILIZE SARAWAK

Such false reports calculated to be highly inflammatory and could not have been endorsed by your PBB BN party.

They can be seen as "unseen hands" trying to destabilize Sarawak so as to give the “Federal government” a reason to step in and take over direct control of our country as they did with Sabah.

The Kuala Lumpur government has the 500,000 or so “illegal” instant voters on standby in the oil palm plantations and the plan to bring a million “foreign workers” fits in perfectly with the Malayan “Sarawak takeover plan” a la Sabah.

In the freer environment we have in Sarawak as opposed to racially divided and strife-torn Malaya, you can see also as a seasoned politician, the implications of the Federal Police attempting to suppress any lawful exercise of our freedom of speech and association which the report is designed to do.

This will be a most undesirable situation as it will not only lead to upsetting the harmonious secular and pluralist society we have but also it will seriously upset over 70% of the population to have Malayans directly ruling us as the British did in 1946.

The people will see this as proof of what many people are saying that we are really a colony of Malaya for 50 years.

The Kuala Lumpur government recently put its security forces on full alert after panicking over some rumours of an alleged attempt to "overthrow the government".

Being in such an edgy mode it may react harshly and turn peaceful activities in Sarawak into another anti-Cession struggle if it wants to use any excuse to take away any freedom we may have.

We therefore call on your honourable office to defend and safeguard our independence freedoms including freedom of speech, association and assembly and not to allow any interference with any lawful activities which are in line with the Sarawak government policy of recognizing Sarawak Independence.

Yours respectfully
Concerned Sarawak Citizens

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HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014: Building a New Sarawak nation- RAJAH RAQAFLUZ

There is an urgent need for constructing a brand new nation called Sarawak.

People have become increasingly isolated and distant from love; social corruption, moral degeneration, economic crisis, poverty, terror, anarchy, violent clashes is no longer confined to any one  particular region of the world. 

What humanity experiences today reveal that things have to change all over the world.

We are in the age of communication; this is a world where Sarawakian becomes aware of other’s pain and is influenced by it. Experience has taught Sarawakian that we cannot build bliss upon the misery of others. This being the case, we need to find the way of binding up these wounds and “recovering” our nation, Sarawak, as soon as possible.

The Borneo nation of Sarawak, which was the epicenter of so much misery in the last 50 years can be the vanguard of recovery in 2014. 

Many people who are unacquainted with Sarawak may have difficulty in understanding this at first sight; nonetheless this is fairly easy. It is possible to remove all the chains that those who do not know love have burdened on Sarawakian for 50 years by abiding by the affectionate spirit of the Malaysia agreement 1963, the 18 Point agreement, 9 Cardinals of Sarawak 1941 constitution and thus building the civilization that Sarawakian have missed and deserved.

The only way to remove the impact of those extremists who seek to ban science, technology and the arts to Sarawakian and condemn us to oppression is through education.

However there is a vital issue here.  Modern western education is definitely obligatory; however, the number of Sarawakian educated in the West but then going to end up as proxies and political stooges is not insignificant in building a new Sarawak of our dream. 

This point deserves special thought. It is self-evident that it is far easier to direct ignorant people: However how is it possible to convince those who are well acquainted with science, philosophy, the arts, technology, etc. to become involved in the abyss of political stooges and proxies? 

Regrettably, during primary and secondary education, many young people are first taught about falsification and manipulation of the sources and information regarding the true story of the proud Sarawakian nation building. A generation totally unaware of the content and context of the Sarawak history and whose minds are molded by radical views are readily directed to be stooges and pawn of the bad political agenda.

While Sarawak is a region of love, there are those who make lengthy speeches about the importance of nation building and development, while still in plain sight, ignore and worse, did not admit the validity of Malaysia agreement 1963, 18 Point agreement and 9 Cardinals of Sarawak 1941 constitution which is the main part and reason for the formation of Malaysia federation itself. 

Surely, Sarawakian are supposed to be loving, compassionate and friendly, and they have absolutely no right to impose anything on other people; however the problem is most Malaysian especially from Malaya today follow not the Malaysia agreement 1963. Therefore, unless all those ignorance that State Reform Party (STAR) and United Borneo Front (UBF) mentioned are completely eliminated, unless Sarawakian completely turn to the true spirit of Malaysia agreement, 18 Point agreement and 9 Cardinals of Sarawak 1941 constitution, it is simply not possible to prevent those ignorance, extremist, bigotry and violent people that act in the name of 'Malaysia' or to stop 'Malayaphobia'.

It is impossible not to see what kind of a disease the federalism, radicalism and political subterfuge has now turned into, after taking, stolen, hiding and manipulate our history, development, technology, human rights and sophistication from Sarawakian for the past 50 years.

Some Malaysian especially Malayan think that in order to get rid of this problem they need to be more 'Malaysian' and against Sarawak nationalist itself; this is a mistake assumption that will only worsen the situation, and accomplish nothing but increase desperation, unsatisfactory and flurious the Sarawakian even further. The cure is to set up as soon as possible Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) and looking back to Malaysia agreement 1963 for Malaysia federation to leap forward.

The morality of the Sarawakian always encourages science and research, praises art and beauty, encourages wider roles for women in administration, leads the way to free thinking, frees people from the pressure they are suffering from, that everyone is entitled to a great life regardless of their thoughts or beliefs, and fosters happiness, liveliness, productivity and creativity.  Therefore it is the only way out for Sarawakian and Malaysian at large.

When Sarawakian follow this path, they will not only be saving the Borneon territories, but also building a whole new Sarawak nation that will help all Malaysian. They will become beacons of light guiding people across the Malaysia federation. If Malaysia willing itself to be save.

Happy New Year 2014. 

Let's build New Sarawak 

Rajah Raqafluz (Pen name) is the admin for "STAR TODAY". Believe in STAR Sarawak and United Borneo Front (UBF), advocate of Borneo Agenda, Friends of the Trust and a firm follower of Harunyahya.

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STATE REFORM PARTY (STAR): Perutusan Tahun Baru 2014 - YB DATUK DR JEFFREY G KITINGAN

Perutusan Tahun Baru 2014 ~ YB Datuk Dr Jeffrey G Kitingan

Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan is the Chairman of STAR Sabah and State Assemblymen for N33, Bingkor, Sabah.

He also contested in P180, Keningau garnering 11900 strong votes

Let The Good Triumph Over Evil in 2014

The good is supposed to triumph over evil, the positives over the negatives, so that the momentum of gains will move society forward in the desired direction.

Unfortunately, 2013 has been anything but positive with more oppression, rising prices of goods and services, racial and religious extremism and insecurity... so let 2014 be the year for the good to triumph over evil and make the new year be a turning point in our history to overcome sufferings, poverty, injustices, oppression, prejudices, abuses of power and corruptions, said Datuk Dr Jeffrey, President of UBF, Chairman of State Reform Party (STAR) Sabah, in his new year message.

But for things to change for the better, the people themselves (the majority) must have the consciousness to realize their conditions and be united and proactive to face life's challenges. 

No one will change things for them except themselves. 

But we are also in the globalized IT smart media millennium... we can share our concerns and leverage others to support our actions through networking. 

We must be brave and forthright in our stand - say what we mean and mean what we say! 

If our hope is to secure a better future then the young must come forward and take up these challenges. Let 2014 be the awakening of the latent powers of Generation Y, esp in Sabah and Sarawak. 

Do not wait until later. It may be too late. Now is the time for you, GY, to unite, share your common future and act together. 

Form groups, network and find solutions to the challenges of today.

2013 was a year of many negative challenges: the Tonduo intrusion, the Project IC revelation, the 13th GE, the Allah issue, the year of rising costs and prices, the Taiwanese kidnapping, Sabah becomes notorious for having false ICs, etc... Let these experiences be a lesson for all of us.

2013 was also Malaysia's 50th Golden Jubilee reminding us in Sabah and Sarawak, how much we have lost, including our autonomy! 

So, my simple hope for the coming year 2014 is the beginning of the restoration of our rights as a nation in the federation of Malaysia and the full implementation of the solutions to the Project IC problems. 

Happy New Year 2014!!!

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STATE REFORM PARTY (STAR): Decentralize Education to Improve Standards - YB DATUK DR. JEFFREY KITINGAN

Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan is the Chairman of STAR Sabah and State Assemblymen for N33, Bingkor, Sabah.

He also contested in P180, Keningau garnering 11900 strong votes

Education is a lifelong process and should not be used as a political tool, which is what the Umno/BN government is doing.

“The Prime Minister missed the whole point on improving education and forgot the most important stakeholder, cooperation of the federal government. The World Bank report emphasizes this fact when it stated that the centrally-controlled federal education system contributed to the poor performances of schoolchildren in Malaysia” said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, STAR Sabah Chief, responding to the posting by the PM in his facebook that Malaysia is capable of providing the best education system for all with the cooperation of parents, educators and students themselves as well as the recently released World Bank Report on education in Malaysia.

Earlier, it was reported that Malaysia had performed poorly in the Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) conducted by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) where Malaysia was ranked No. 52 out of the 65 countries polled, worse than many third world countries.

The PISA tests were based on Mathematics, Science and reading. If PISA had included History, Malaysia would have come out last in the rankings given the distorted history of Malaya, cover-up on the formation of Malaysia and the purported independence of Malaya and Malaysia and lop-sided biasness in its History curriculum.

The failure of the Malaysian education system and policies is evident everywhere. Everyone knows and speaks of the failings except the political leaders and their blind followers and extremists who fail to see through the primary and main objective of education from the young.  

Education is a life-long process and should not be used as a political tool, which is what the Umno/BN government is doing.

The failed system and policies require whole-scale and wholesome changes, even drastic if it is required. The holistic education system referred to by the PM must incorporate such changes and not just entail cooperation of the stakeholders without the participation and cooperation of the federal government.

Malaysia is a diverse nation made up of multi-ethnic groupings with different religions and cultural backgrounds.   In terms of educational pursuit, the local circumstances vary from State to State and from community to community.

As highlighted by the World Bank Report, the over-emphasis and centralized control of education causes bottlenecks and many a times unsuitability due to differences in local circumstances resulting in decline in education standards.

What is good and suitable for Penang may not be necessarily so for Johor or the Borneo States and what is good for Pahang may not be necessarily so for Selangor or Kelantan.

The mother tongues for the Peninsular are not necessarily the mother tongues for Sabah and Sarawak while Iban language in Sarawak and Kadazandusun or Bajau/Suluk language in Sabah may not be suitable to be implemented in the Peninsula.

Similarly, the education and manpower needs of the local community in Penang, an industrial hub, may be different from that in Kelantan or Terengganu which are agriculture and oil-producing States respectively.  It is further and more different in Sabah and Sarawak.

The centralization of control in Putrajaya has created problems for schools, teachers and students alike whether they are in Selangor, Johor or in Sabah.

This is more so in the Borneo States and should be left to be administered by the respective States on their own rather than operate under remote control from Putrajaya. Federal funding could be channelled to the respective State governments.

Further de-centralization will give more leeway to the districts and schools. This overall de-centralization beside a change in education policies will help improve education standards.

Education is the future of the nation and its citizens and should not be politicized or manipulated as a political tool. Neither should it be hijacked by any ethnic group for whatever reasons.

A change of education policies must create a new Nation Education Masterplan. The Masterplan should be formulated after listening to the views of all stakeholders with the prime objective of quality education for all Malaysians alike. 

Policies should not be made to cater to the calls of ethnic groups and learning another language does not make any Malaysian less patriotic.

De-centralizing the Education portfolio will enable the State governments, both in the Peninsular and in Sabah and Sarawak, to better manage, plan and execute the National Education Masterplan. 

Vernacular education was agreed upon by Malaya and Malaysia’s founding fathers. This being the case, vernacular education including religious schools and mission schools should be fully funded by the federal government. This is more so in Sabah where non-Chinese students make up more than one-third of the enrolment in Chinese schools including schools without any Chinese students.  

A child should not be faulted or punished because he or she does not attend national-type school.   

Recognizing Chinese education qualifications should no longer be avoided. After all, Chinese education has proven results with many Chinese-educated Malaysians going on to be global and towering Malaysians including many inventions to their credit. 

A good example is the world renown and widely used pen-drive invented by a Chinese-educated Malaysian but denied higher education opportunity in Malaysia.

The time has come for the PM to walk the talk now that he has said that education is a matter close to his heart and that a holistic education system is needed.  

A truly holistic approach must necessarily encompass a new Masterplan with new policies and with administration to be de-centralized to the respective State governments and even to districts and the schools. 

There is no better time than now since it has been proven the failures of the past system and the falling standards which can be arrested and overturned by the new approach.

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By, Rajah Raqafluz

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