By Dato Petinggi Atama Katama
United Nations Permanent Representative for Dayak International Organisation
KOTA KINABALU : – As Malaysia celebrates Malaysia Day 2024, we stand at a critical juncture in our nation’s history—a Federation at the Crossroads, where the fate of Sabah and its people hangs in the balance.
Today, as we reflect on the 61 years since the formation of Malaysia, the spirit of self-determination that once filled the hearts of Sabah’s indigenous peoples is waning, crushed under the weight of the Malayan Political Model, a system built on neo-colonialism, race-supremacy, and predatory capitalism.
If this model continues unchecked, it will lead to the complete economic disenfranchisement and cultural extinction of Sabah’s native peoples.
A Historical Betrayal: From Promises of Autonomy to Subjugation
When Sabah entered into the Malaysian Federation in 1963, it was under the assurance of autonomy and self-government, as enshrined in the moInter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). The agreement promised Sabah control over its own lands, resources, and political future—a vision of equality within the Federation.
But for over 42 years, Sabah was shackled under Emergency Rule, imposed in the name of national security, but in truth, a mechanism to enforce federal hegemony over the state’s resources. During this time, Peninsular Malaysia implemented a neo-colonial strategy, extracting wealth from Sabah’s oil, gas, timber, and palm oil while leaving behind poverty and underdevelopment for its indigenous peoples.
The Malayan Political Model, much like the colonial systems of old, is a tool of imperialism dressed up as unity. It suppresses dissent, centralizes economic control, and reduces Sabah to a resource colony. In this model, power is concentrated in the hands of elites in Peninsular Malaysia, while Sabah’s people remain at the periphery, unable to enjoy the fruits of their own land.
Neo-Colonialism and Race Supremacy: Exploiting Sabah’s Wealth
Let’s break down this Malayan Political Model in simple terms: It’s a system where a group of elites, mostly from Peninsular Malaysia, holds all the power and makes all the big decisions for the entire country. These elites have imposed their vision of political unity and economic growth on everyone, but the truth is, this system is designed to benefit a small class of people at the top, the compradors, while the rest—especially Sabahans—are left with the crumbs.
We often talk about neo-colonialism—a form of modern colonialism where one group dominates and exploits another for its wealth, without physically occupying their land. Sabah’s indigenous peoples have felt the brunt of this system. Our oil, gas, and timber have fueled the economic development of Peninsular Malaysia, while poverty rates in Sabah remain among the highest in the country. This is not an accident but a deliberate part of the Malayan Political Model—a race-supremacy system where indigenous peoples are marginalized and denied their rightful share of the wealth generated from their own lands.
Political Hegemony and Fascist Intolerance
One of the defining features of the Malayan Political Model is its political intolerance. Any attempts by Sabah to assert its rights, whether through calls for autonomy, fair revenue sharing, or control over our natural resources, are crushed in the name of national unity. But this is a false unity. What we are dealing with is a system that prioritizes political hegemony—where power remains centralized in Kuala Lumpur, and dissenting voices, particularly from Sabah and Sarawak, are silenced.
This brings us to the lumpen bourgeoisie—a term we don’t hear often in everyday conversation but one that is crucial for young people to understand. The lumpen bourgeoisie refers to a class of people who benefit from the exploitation of others, yet they are not part of the ruling elite. They act as enforcers or collaborators, propping up the system because they get some scraps of power or wealth. In Sabah, this class is made up of local elites who have aligned themselves with the Malayan Political Model, enriching themselves while turning a blind eye to the suffering of their own people.
The Lumpen Bourgeoisie: A Complicit Class
It is critical to understand that the lumpen bourgeoisie in Sabah—those local elites who have accepted roles in government or business but serve the interests of the federal authorities and multinational corporations—are complicit in maintaining the system of exploitation. These individuals thrive on political patronage, playing the role of middlemen, while real power remains firmly in the hands of Peninsular Malaysia’s elite.
In simpler terms, these local elites are like gatekeepers. They gain some privileges, maybe a business contract here or political favors there, but they are never allowed to fully participate in the system. Their role is to keep the rest of us in line, and in exchange, they get to enjoy the benefits of the corrupt system—while the rest of Sabah continues to suffer.
For too long, we have been ruled by the lumpen bourgeoisie, who have aligned themselves with the federal government, helping to exploit Sabah’s wealth for their own gain. It is time for Sabahans to understand that real progress will not come from this class of enablers. If the federal government and the lumpen bourgeoisie refuse to ensure the two obligations of international law, then the people of Sabah, regardless of race and religion, must unite and upset this class.
The Two Obligations of International Law: A Call for Action
The Full Measure of Self-Government for Sabah
Sabah’s right to self-government was guaranteed by the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report. This means that Sabah should have full control over its internal affairs, particularly its natural resources. The Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) was supposed to ensure that Sabah would maintain a significant degree of autonomy, but this has been systematically stripped away through constitutional amendments, land grabs, and the extension of emergency rule.
We must demand the restoration of these rights, as they are not just national obligations but also obligations under international law. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) makes it clear that indigenous communities have the right to self-determination and control over their lands, territories, and resources. The federal government’s refusal to honor these commitments violates the basic human rights of Sabah’s indigenous peoples.
Compliance from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Future Prime Ministers
The time has come for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (PMX) and future leaders of Malaysia to show their commitment to Sabah’s right to self-government. For too long, federal leaders have ignored Sabah’s plight, paying lip service to unity, while continuing to exploit our resources and stifle our political voice.
If the current government, under PMX, does not fulfill its obligations to Sabah under MA63, the people of Sabah have the right—indeed, the duty—to take their fight to the international stage. We must hold the federal government accountable, whether through the courts or by seeking the intervention of the United Nations.
The Spirit of Liberty: Remembering the Keningau Oath Stone
For the younger generation, know that this fight for Sabah’s self-determination is not new. Our ancestors fought these same battles, and their sacrifices live on in the Keningau Oath Stone. This stone, laid by brave native chieftains, carries with it a spiritual intention—a covenant between the indigenous peoples of Sabah and their leaders, promising to protect native rights against any form of injustice.
The Keningau Oath Stone is no ordinary monument. It is said to be atoned with supernatural powers, protecting the land and its people from tyranny. The curse placed upon this stone warns that any government, no matter how powerful, that denies the rights of Sabah’s indigenous peoples, will face grave consequences. This stone stands as a reminder that the struggle for freedom is not just political, but also spiritual—and that those who seek to oppress will not go unpunished.
A Federation at the Crossroads: A Final Call to Action
As we stand at this crossroads, we must ask ourselves: What kind of future do we want for Sabah? Do we continue down the path of subjugation under the Malayan Political Model, or do we rise up, unite as one, and demand our civil rights to self-government?
The time for passivity is over. The youth of Sabah, the indigenous peoples, and all those who believe in justice must join forces. If the federal government and the lumpen bourgeoisie refuse to act, then we have no choice but to take matters into our own hands. Through legal action, through protest, through international intervention, we will fight for a future where Sabahans control their own destiny.
On this Malaysia Day, let us remember that liberty is never given—it is fought for. And fight we will, until Sabah’s rightful place as a self-governed state within the Federation is restored.
For Sabah! For Liberty! For Justice!
Dato Petinggi Andrew Ambrose @ Atama Katama is the United Nations Permanent Representative for Dayak International Organisation is a prominent Bornean leader dedicated to preserving indigenous traditions, advocating for environmental sustainability, and championing the rights of his people through a unique blend of cultural wisdom, spiritual guidance, and visionary leadership.
Editor: The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of talantang.com
