Dato Atama Katama
By Allan Dumbong
KOTA KINABALU : – On this Sabah Day, as we celebrate our rich heritage and the enduring spirit of our people, a powerful voice has emerged advocating for the future of Sabah and Sarawak within Malaysia.
Dato Petinggi Atama Katama, a prominent indigenous peoples figure at the United Nations, has issued a compelling call to reassess the governance arrangements of these two East Malaysian states, emphasizing the need for greater autonomy within the existing constitutional framework.
Born in Tambunan and raised in the United States, Atama Katama’s journey from radical rapper to an activist fighting injustice has shaped him into a leader of global significance.
Conferred the title of Rangkai Adat Borneo through Sabah’s Grand Bobolian Chief Tindarama Amman Sirom Simbuna in 2017, he has become the leader that Borneo has been waiting for, for a long time.
Atama Katama provided a historical context, reminding us that Singapore, North Borneo (now Sabah), and Sarawak were once directly under the sovereignty of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as part of the British colonial empire while Malaya was ruled by a military administration from British India.
While Singapore eventually relinquished this to directly elect their own Head of State, Sabah and Sarawak instead entrusted this authority to the Malay Monarchy rather than establishing their own directly elected Head of State.
“This arrangement means that the appointment of the Governor in Sabah and Sarawak, who holds significant powers, including the appointment of the Chief Minister, is influenced by federal mechanisms rather than being directly determined by the people of these states. This situation differs from Singapore’s model, where the Head of State is directly elected by the people,” said Atama Katama, highlighting the disparity that has persisted since these regions joined Malaysia.
In contrast, when Sabah and Sarawak transitioned to self-government, instead of securing a similar measure that would have allowed them to retain sovereignty directly with their own people, both states relinquished the obligation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by transferring their sovereignty to the Malay Rulers.
This transfer was facilitated through the establishment of a constitutional monarchy, with sovereignty upheld by His Majesty the King, Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
This decision meant that, unlike Singapore, which elected its own Head of State, Sabah and Sarawak placed their sovereignty under the broader Malaysian constitutional framework, where the King plays a central role.
This addition highlights the significant differences in how sovereignty was managed during the formation of Malaysia, emphasizing the unique paths taken by Singapore compared to Sabah and Sarawak.
Atama Katama’s vision for Sabah and Sarawak is clear and forward-looking. He advocates for enhanced autonomy, particularly in the selection of state leaders. He also proposes the establishment of a new role—a Sabah Minister of Federal Affairs.
This state power position, which would be directly elected, is designed to oversee that federal powers are checked and that the IGC (Inter-Governmental Committee) and MA63 (Malaysia Agreement 1963) instruments are complied with on a daily basis. Such a role would ensure that Sabah’s interests are consistently and effectively represented at the national level.
With a keen understanding of the political landscape, Atama Katama has also expressed his intent to pursue legislative reforms if given the opportunity to serve in Parliament.
“If I were ever to become a legislator in Parliament, I would work towards proposals that explore constitutional amendments aimed at granting Sarawak and Sabah greater autonomy in governance. These proposals would seek to ensure that any changes are in line with the constitutional framework and respect the role of the monarchy while empowering local governance structures to better reflect the will of the people in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said, indicating his strong political aspirations and his dedication to the cause.
As Sabah reflects on its journey and its future, the ideas put forth by Atama Katama resonate deeply.
His call for greater autonomy and local governance reflects the aspirations of many Sabahans who seek a more empowered role in the management of their state’s affairs.
On this Sabah Day, it is fitting to acknowledge that Atama Katama’s vision could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our state and its people.
Atama Katama shares with talantang.com that in most recent years, many members of royalty across Asia have been attempting to unravel the ancient mystery of the Dusun Kingdom, a kingdom now 1,457 years old.
He reveals that this kingdom still exists today, though Aki Nabalu, the revered guardian spirit, permits only a few to seek it.
This sacred knowledge is understood and revered by all royal houses in Asia and around the world.
It is for this reason that all the Malay kingdoms hold Mount Kinabalu in such deep veneration, and why Chinese Emperors and European royal dynasties pay their respects to Aki Nabalu, fully aware that the time of the Dusun Kingdom’s return is near.
How, then, could Atama Katama possess such profound knowledge if he is not himself a part of this ancient and noble lineage?
At talantang.com, we also recognize that leaders like Atama Katama hold a promising future in Malaysian politics.
His advocacy for Sabah and Sarawak’s autonomy and his clear articulation of these issues mark him as a leader with the potential to bring about meaningful change.
His proposals, if realized, could lead to a more equitable governance model that better reflects the unique identities and aspirations of the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
