I read with interest a piece written by Baru Bian, ‘Let Sarawak’s voice be heard in Putrajaya’. I must say opinion like this is common among Sarawakians in particular and Malaysians in general in recent years, ie Sarawak is an equal partner in the Federation of Malaysia. The 20 Points Agreement has given Sarawak ‘more rights’ than the states in peninsula Malaysia.

However, I think the argument on Sarawak’s rights, so commonly tossed around these days, has missed the whole point. The issue is not just about Sarawak’s equal partnership in the Federation or the 20-Points Agreement. The issue is also more than Sarawak being marginalised or treated as the step-child. It has everything to do with the character of the federation government, its performance, and its relationship with all the states within the federation.

The federation constitution might have given more power to the federal government. But it takes a ‘fair’ and ‘just’ federal government to make sure that federal-states relationship is kept on an even keel. Put it simply, the federal government must reflect the will of all states in the federation, from Sarawak, Perlis, to Kelantan and Johor.

Sarawak may be behind peninsula Malaysia in many aspects. But the federal government ‘paying lip service’ is not just confined to Sarawak. The issues highlighted by Baru Bian for Sarawak such as education system, healthcare, infrastructure, employment, security, discrimination, and freedom of religion, are common among different states in Malaysia. It is the character of our federal government which is not in sync with most states.

Otherwise how do we explain why highly-developed states like Penang, Selangor and at one time Perak falling into opposition hands?

Ultimately, what matter most are the policies, integrity and performance of the federal government. These are the factors that shall determine how successful the federal government is able to hold the country together and provide people from different states a common hope and aspiration.

Believe me, it is not just the people of Sarawak craving for better policies, governance and performance. I think millions in other states are also longing for the same objectives.

The federal government must reflect the will of the majority of the people, not just getting the majority of the federal seats. I hope we catch the drift.