Sarawak: Island of political calm in turbulent sea

Borneo Post

12 hours ago

PM Anwar seen in the Dewan Rakyat. — Bernama photo
THE political winds of change, like the whims of the weather, seem to indicate a world poised on the edge of scepticism.
As contentious as the political mood is proven to be, with the mood shifting with the power of unobserved tides, even the ficklest habits of weather give us some hint of warning by forecasting.
While both are characterised by uncertainties, the capacity to foretell, gives weather a degree of stability that the frequently stormy seas of politics so desperately need.
'Asymmetric nature of power'
In the current Malaysian socio-political landscape, the asymmetric nature of power dynamics is particularly pronounced, especially when considering the distinct positions of Sarawak and Sabah.
Their regional identity and state assertiveness are typically defined in terms of issues and concerns that are not necessarily at the forefront of the federal government's agenda.
This is attributed to differences in their histories, cultures, and economies, all of which drive the priorities of these East Malaysian states.
This divergence can lead to friction and negotiations over resource allocation, autonomy, and the implementation of national policies, highlighting the ongoing negotiation of power and influence between the centre and these crucial regions.
It underscores the reality that a one-size-fits-all approach to governance often fails to address the specific needs and aspirations of Sarawak and Sabah, demanding a more nuanced and collaborative approach to nation-building.
'Weather metaphor'
The weather metaphor of politics becomes erratic with its cyclical pattern of conflict ('downpour') and hope ('sunshine').
For better or worse, politics is compared to the weather because it is erratic.
While political ground is largely unpredictable, weather is subject to variation but can be predicted to some extent.
For example, at least the weather has regular forecasts, but politics is 'all mood swings and rain and sunshine'.
As the weather alternates back and forth from sunshine to pouring rain, so does the political scene go through ebbs and flows of hope and adversity.
This political weather metaphor shows the looseness of government and power, implying an infinite going and coming between times of advancement and times of struggle.
The 'sunshine' of hope always breaks into the 'downpour' of adversity, reminding that no weather is ever permanent in politics.
In contrast to the often-unpredictable nature of politics, weather patterns can be projected with increasing accuracy several days in advance.
This is largely due to the advancements in meteorological technology powered by information technology.
'Instability affecting leadership'
Malaysian politics is also beset with instability whose origins are profound in the national leadership. Recent Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) elections in which Rafizi Ramli trailed in the deputy president contest to Nurul Izzah Anwar uncovered power struggles beneath the surface and elicited public outrage against party charges of nepotism.
This development has arguably undermined Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's position of dominance, and his leadership will come under growing pressure and be tested in the coming years, perhaps destabilising the relative stability that he had previously enjoyed.
PKR, a significant component of the ruling coalition, uncovered intra-party tensions raising questions about the stability and direction of the government in the long run.
Despite appearing to be a straightforward race for leadership, the recent PKR party elections had brought attention to a more serious issue in Malaysian politics.
Imagine it as a family argument that erupts into the street.
Not only was there a personnel change when Nurul Izzah defeated Rafizi for the position of deputy president, but the ruling coalition was rocked to its core.
Rumours of nepotism are currently echoing along corridors of power, fuelled by raw ambition and the sting of failure.
This is not about the stability of the whole household, however, but who occupies which seat at the table.
The public is still speculating about whether the cracks that they can see on the surface are really a great deal deeper than that.
'Tempest in Sabah brewing'
Prime Minister Anwar walks a thin line, literally.
He has a tempest on his hands in Sabah, and it is not a hurricane.
Complaints of discontent have reached shouts, and the overwhelming majority of Sabahans feel that they are not being heard.
They are angry at what they perceive as no development and corruption allegations, demanding more influence over their own future and more say in the administration of their state.
It is a groundswell of local pride and a demand for real change, and PM Anwar needs to find a way to address these deep-seated concerns before they completely overwhelm his leadership.
This is a direct threat to the stability of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
Chief Minister of Sabah Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor in a photo, taken during a recent interview. — Bernama photo
More fuel to the fire comes from Umno Sabah, now under the leadership of Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who has made public their intentions to defect from GRS in the coming election, signalling a potential alliance with PKR and Warisan.
This potential change of political bedfellows in the pipeline on the horizon means an unprecedented realignment of politics, promising another cycle of uncertainty and instability for the region.
Bung Moktar has made public Umno Sabah's intention to defect from GRS in the coming election, signalling a potential alliance with PKR and Warisan. — Malay Mail photo
'Sarawak devoid of turmoil'
Having been shielded from the political instability that is rocking the federal government in Putrajaya and the precarious position its immediate neighbour Sabah occupies, Sarawak finds itself in a special advantageous position.
Being relatively stable, Sarawak can devote more attention to its ambitious green initiative of moving more quickly toward investment in sustainable development.
With a stable political climate and strong GDP growth, Sarawak has every room and space to do its own thing.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg being interviewed by the media at an event.—Sarawak Public Communications Unit photo
Any interference by Putrajaya would be self-serving under this room and possible political backlash, upsetting the delicate balance of power and derailing Sarawak's progress.
Sarawak is single-mindedly pursuing its own development and fulfilment of its green ventures.
'Captain PMX mending own sails'
Picture Malaysia as a boat drifting peacefully on stormy seas. Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, having been drenched in political turmoil, are struggling to remain on course.
'Captain' Anwar Ibrahim is mending the sails of his own ship, PKR, and attempting to restrain the madhouse that's breaking out on the other vessels. He's working at full stretch, his crew split.
Picture Sarawak as a firm, well-oiled lighthouse standing its ground against the tide.
Its light, shining political stability and good governance, casts beams brightly, providing directions amidst the turmoil which assailed it.
In a ship where the captain is in a state of turmoil and the balance of the ship in disarray, the lighthouse is of first priority.
It can guide the boat into calm waters, a wellspring of sense and sanity from which other people may navigate.
But it does so in paralysing privilege; Sarawak has to steer its own vessel astutely, retaining for itself its own integrity whilst being go-between and fount of hope for a wayward state stumbling in the dark.
'Sarawak in strong bargaining position'
Sarawak possesses a very strong bargaining position in current Malaysian politics.
No longer is it to be regarded as a safe deposit in the Malaysian political chess game – it has a mind of its own.
With its giant number of seats in Parliament under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) umbrella, the state possesses very high bargaining power to defend its interest.
Any federal government action that can outrage Sarawak and therefore, lose it as an electorate, is open to be tempered by sympathetic negotiation and leverage assertion.
PM Anwar (PMX), and the Kuala Lumpur government are acutely aware of their reliance on Sarawak's collective parliamentary strength, especially with the impending 16th General Election; thus providing Sarawak with the political capital necessary to influence policy decisions and ensure its continued stability and prosperity.
* Toman Mamora is 'Tokoh Media Sarawak 2022', recipient of Shell Journalism Gold Award (1996) and AZAM Best Writer Gold Award (1998). He remains true to his decades-long passion for critical writing as he seeks to gain insight into some untold stories of societal value. abang johari anwar ibrahim federal Hajiji politics sabah sarawak