As rivals poised to celebrate M'sia Day together, both sides deny political motive
The federal and Sarawak state governments will jointly stage a national Malaysia Day celebration in Kuching next Monday, regardless of their political affiliation.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg were expected to speak at the event which was reportedly proposed by Sarawak DAP.
State governor Abdul Taib Mahmud, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim are also expected to be at the event...
The Pakatan Harapan federal government and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)-led state government, who despite being political adversaries, will hold a joint Malaysia Day celebration in Kuching next Monday.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg are expected to speak at the event, which was reportedly proposed by Sarawak DAP.
State governor Abdul Taib Mahmud, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim would also be present.
The Malaysia Day celebration appeared to be important for both the federal and state governments.
Harapan is preparing for the upcoming Sarawak state election which would take place on September 2021 at the latest.
Meanwhile, the Sarawak government is hoping for Putrajaya to announce on more development, investments and greater autonomy in regards to the East Malaysian state.
Some political analysts and observers opined that Abang Johari (photo) might call for a snap poll as early as next year.
However, both Harapan parties and GPS denied there were political elements behind the joint celebration despite admitting that it would prove beneficial to them.
"No such political consideration. It has nothing to do with the (upcoming) state election.
"This is merely a national celebration where we will celebrate together, regardless of race and religion," Sarawak DAP secretary Alan Lin told Malaysiakini.
GPS leader: Talk about uniting nation, not politics
GPS secretary-general Alexander Nanta Linggi agreed with Lin, saying not everything is related to the state election.
"It will have a positive spillover effect on GPS in the coming election and we are not going to deny there is a positive effect. In fact, we welcome it," he added.
He, however, said Putrajaya should not talk about politics during the national celebration or come with the intention to take over the state via the upcoming state election.
"If they come here to take advantage and talk about politics, then no need. Be sincere, you come here to celebrate and talk about uniting the nation.
"I hope the federal government will not take a confrontational approach but come here to celebrate as a friend," he added.
Meanwhile, PKR's Julau MP Larry Sng (photo) said the event should be used to unite Malaysians, with less emphasis on politics.
"Every opportunity for Harapan leaders to be seen publicly sharing a stage will, of course, instil confidence and respect among the general populace.
"I believe issues in Sarawak can be addressed more effectively," he added, admitting that Putrajaya might not have paid enough attention to the issues raised in the state.
According to Sng, most Sarawakians feel that the state has been left behind in terms of development and funding.
"We basically feel that we haven't got the best share, (including) financial assistance from the federal government, partly due to our contribution of oil royalty.
"Compared to the level of development we have seen in Peninsular Malaysia, we feel that we deserve the same level of roads, infrastructure and amenities," he said.
As such, Sng hopes the prime minister would address the concerns raised by Sarawakians, including the issue of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Last year, Harapan celebrated its first Malaysia Day in Sabah, led by its ally Parti Warisan Sabah. In his speech then, Mahathir pledged to restore Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners of the federation.
However, Putrajaya failed to obtain the support of GPS and BN to pass an amendment to the Federal Constitution in April this year.
The people of the hornbill state are now focused on possible good news from Mahathir, given that the special task force on Malaysia Agreement 63 has completed its final report.
Alexander personally expected some good news from the prime minister.
"Sarawak is lagging behind, so don't just talk, give more to Sarawak. I expect Mahathir will be announcing goodies for Sarawak in his speech and accept that the current Sarawak state government is doing its best.
"We have moved on from the previous government and the previous way of doing things.
"I hope the prime minister will say good things (about us) and that we need to work together across the political divide," he added.
He opined that Putrajaya - which was hit with the controversies surrounding Jawi calligraphy and preacher Dr Zakir Naik - could learn from the Sarawak government in handling a multiracial community.
Researcher: This reflects the maturity of political foes
Meanwhile, independent researcher Andrew Aeria said there was no political consideration behind the Malaysia Day celebration.
"This is a very good development as it reflects the unity of hearts and minds in upholding the spirit and federation of Malaysia," he said, adding that it showed the maturity of the political adversaries.
"Malaysia Day is not a day for petty electoral politicking. All political and constitutional federations need honest commitment to make them work.
"Any party that engages in petty point-scoring or in whipping up animosity on Malaysia Day simply on the basis of sentiment would only reflect their political immaturity," he added.
Aeria, who was formerly attached to Universiti Sarawak Malaysia, said Sarawakians wanted both the federal and state governments to work together to ensure a good quality of life for them.
He said political parties should focus on generating clear policies and work hard to convince the grassroots that they genuinely care about the welfare of the rakyat.
Universiti Malaya sociopolitical analyst Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the national celebration in Kuching would allow Harapan to pave the way for the upcoming state election.
"Harapan wants to show they are sincere in helping Sabah and Sarawak, especially Sarawak, which will conduct the state election next year or in 2021," he added.
Awang said he expected the premier to announce good news during the celebration with the condition that Sarawakians would support Harapan.
Hs said GPS, which has been riding on Sarawak nationalism, would benefit from the celebration.
"GPS knows that Putrajaya is concerned about the ethnocentric politics harped (by GPS) since the era of former chief minister Adenan Satem. It had somehow managed to unite Sarawakians who wanted to uphold their rights," he said.
Besides demanding greater autonomy, some groups, including politicians from both sides also renewed their calls for secession from Malaysia.
Awang said despite knowing Mahathir might be announcing something good for Sarawak, GPS would be wary.
He, however, noted GPS has become more at ease with its rival over the upcoming state election compared with last year.
Awang said this was due to the latest development, especially the Jawi calligraphy issue which showed Harapan gradually losing the support of Sarawakians, especially from Chinese voters.
"Harapan has 12 parliamentary seats in Sarawak. As such, it showed GPS is at risk of losing 36 state seats contained within these parliamentary seats. This was what GPS feared initially.
"But the people now see that there is a need for them to reevaluate the Harapan parties," he added.
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