BORNEO DEBATING CHAMPIONSHIP 2013 - ON SECESSION FROM MALAYSIA
BORNEO SELF-DETERMINATION vs. MALAYAN COLONIAL DOMINATION
This is a transcription of the first speaker's speech for the Borneo side. Some parts were not 100% audible..
"MALAYAN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP & TYRANNY LEAVES NO OPTION FOR SABAH SARAWAK BUT TO SECEDE AND TAKE BACK WHAT IS THEIRS"
This video shows the 1st Opposition Speaker (not the Government Speaker as captioned)
The debate is on "Secession from Malaysia" comes on the 50th year of Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia.
It is not surprising that the pro-Malaya side comes out sounding typically patronizing with their standard package of justifications to preserve the "Malaysia" status quo.
The third speaker for the Opposition points out the defects in the "Government" argument.
The debate is based on the mistaken premise that Malaysia was a legitimate creation and turns on issues of non-compliance by the "Opposition" side as the reason for secession.
Interestingly the first Opposition speaker failed to raise the 18/20 points in support of his argument for failure to comply.
The "Government" side argues against secession by concentrating on "wait for development" arguments (a la Mahathir) and their lopsided view that Sabah and Sarawak are only states of Malaya and not "equal partners" in Malaysia.
The "Government side" tends to typically ignore the issues on independence rights and talk about the "greater Malaysia concept" federalism and need to share resources.
Speakers seem to be unaware of the background issues for formation of Malaysia..Cobbold Commission again misquoted to justify Malaysia. They talk about benefits of federalism...
The rest of the debate may be followed from the above link.
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TRANSCRIPTION: Speech by first speaker Mr. Albert Kamahlendra
(Some parts of the speech may have been omitted owing to inaudible words.. Suggest Mr. Kamahlendra post his speech here)
Mrs. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen
What is our position in today debate?
We think that Borneo which includes Sabah and Sarawak should secede from Malaysia to better able to determine its future and not be held ransom to what the Federal Government wants.
We think that for far too long....the Federal Government has disproportionately allocated resources to benefit the people over “there” than the people who deserve it far more here..
Individuals have to leave Sabah and Sarawak to obtain employment, to obtain a future. Individuals who are stuck here often times are stuck in the rural areas, lacking electricity, resources and limited ability to self actualise.. this is incredibly harmful.
What would I talk to you about in my speech?
Firstly, I will tell you why staying in Malaysia will not be good for Borneo like Sabah and Sarawak
Secondly, I will tell you why Borneo has the right to secede and
Thirdly, I will tell you why Borneo is better off with self- determination.
But before that let's look at a little context.
When do state secede?
We think that states secede when there are 3 key yardsticks
Firstly when there is important cultural differences.
Secondly when there is a disproportionate allocation of its resources like what happened with North and South Sudan.
Thirdly, when there is systematic disenfranchisement of communities.
So what is the problem in today's debate? It is linked to the 3 things I told you.
Firstly, we think that there is a different cultural and political climate.
We look at how the Federal Government look at the “Allah” issue and infringement on Muslim rights and how it is so important and how it is so important to the practice of Christians who are the majority in Sarawak.
We look at how a lot of Borneons identify themselves as Borneons first and Sabahans first and Sarawakians first and then “Malaysians”.
We look how SS politically were originally intended to be equal partners with Federation of Malaya and now reduced to one of the 14th States...
Secondly disproportionate distribution of resources with regards to timber and petroleum, we get pittance given for royalty with a large chunk going to the Federal Government
Thirdly systematic disenfranchisement with regards to how democracy was supposed to work in these 2 states Talk about Operation IC in Sabah dilution of voters dilution sovereignty, issue of Allah was trumped up. Look at great income disparity between individuals in the 2 areas shows that federal government failed to honour its side of the agreement.
What is the mechanism in today's debate. We think the UN should Arbitrate this process
Any process regarding secession, a referendum should be carried out. Will only go through with 2/3 majority standing army UN peace keepers
Standing army already been provided with regard to UN Peacekeeping force, Sarawak rangers already exist to defend the state against external influence
new constitution will be drawn up to revamp the system of tyranny from the federal government.
Trends already show voters moving towards opposition showing rejection of federal gov't
Birth of a nation... not easy process
Birthing pains...
Countries may be antagonistic towards us , new friends political alliance
Friends and new political alliance that we can form, whatever benefits wouldn't be immediate.
(Interruption: Fed Gov't ensures a fair collective distribution to entire national..pop of SS less than peninsular...how is rthat economic...
SS has 20$% of population.. do not think that 20% of wealth of the country has been allocated to SS)
The first argument why staying in Malaysia will not good for Sabah and Sarawak systematic problem..
Firstly we think that Fed G incredibly entrenched with regards to the system of SS.
BN looks at SS as fixed deposit....that means check and balances are inherently weak within SS...the systematic problem you cannot change by saying let's stick with the “status quo”.
Secondly we think that cash handouts make changes difficult to happen with elections much more difficult to win...with individuals being predispose.. (unclear)
Secondly welfare is politicized in order to benefit the Fed Government..also make difficult for changes to happen...regulations fail to regulate itself..
Thirdly why should Borneons have to wait for any longer for change – if they propose a slow organic change..we need to change now. We talk about self actualization..
Why should Borneo has the right to secede? Second argument.
We think it is a violation of initial contract, supposed to be equal partners violation of this right re fed state relationship.....the unique relationship has broken down because the Constitution amended to allow tyranny to exist from the Fed gov't over these particular 2 states.
On the last idea why is Borneo better off with self determination...we think it is important to have self-determination because representation is important.
Currently Sabahans and Sarawakians vote BN not because of loyalty, because they feel it is the only party that can help them because they is no other viable opposition ..
That is why they have to opt put of this oppressive system.
Also better new Borneo state new nationalism with regards to the Borneo Prime. Having your own state means you put your own interest first
We have waited far too long. Ladies and Gentlemen it is time to take what is ours back