Anwar’s Drive Into Sabah, Sarawak Sparks Retaliation

KeADILan’s N Gobalakrishnan was barred from entering Sarawak, with no reason given. Experts say the ban reflects a lack of accountability and transparency …

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim’s appointment as KeADILan chief for both Sabah and Sarawak has raised a ruckus among political rivals in the ruling Barisan Nasional, fearful that a concerted advent by the Pakatan Rakyat might finally bring about change to the nation’s two poorest states.

The news drew immediate reaction from Sarawak authorities, as well as flak from other Barisan members who pounced on why Anwar and his supporters should not look to East Malaysia – now or ever!

Said KeADILan supreme council member N Gobalakrishnan who was barred by Sarawak immigration from entering the state two days ago: “These are just political ploys to weaken us. But we will not be stopped from continuing with our hard work and bringing our message of reform.”

“Sarawak is ours. The people there can no longer be bought by 10 or 20 ringgit. They want clean, effective government,” he added.

Malaysians from the peninsula are required to fill up a form or ‘airport visa’ under Section 66 (1) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, but as member of parliament for Padang Serai, Gobalakrishnan has the right of access to both states even without filling up the form.

But no reason was given by the Sarawak authorities. Gobalakrishnan had wanted to visit his Iban adoptive parents for Christmas and to attend a party function in Kuching.

His ban has prompted criticism that Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Mahmud Taib might also bar other opposition politicians, especially Anwar, from entering the state.

“It is bad for the government to disallow anybody from moving freely as long as it is within the law. The rule of law must prevail at all times regardless of politics. When there is arbitrary barring, it reflects a lack of accountability and transparency and this will erode the public’s confidence in the government,” said Ramon Navaratnam, president of Transparency International.

Earlier this week, KeADILan president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail announced the selection of Anwar to lead the thrust in the two East Malaysian states - which together boast nearly one-quarter of the total parliamentary seats in the country.

“Recognising that the welfare of Sabah and Sarawak has long been sidelined by the Barisan Nasional government, the selection of Anwar as the state liaison chairperson is the right move to ensure a change occurs as well as to show PKR’s commitment in championing the struggles of the people - from Perlis to Sabah and Sarawak,” Wan Azizah had said.

Ripe for change
The Pakatan’s determination to make East Malaysia their next battleground has prompted immense negative feedback and resistance from the Barisan Nasional leadership.

Among main reasons they put forward is that Anwar has not kept his promise to topple the federal government by Sept 16, secondly – the Pakatan coalition is in complete disarray and on the verge of busting up, thirdly - the Pakatan hasn’t done enough in the five states it governs to justify further diversification of focus and resources at this point in time.

But according to pundits, now is the best time for Pakatan to deepen its footprint in East Malaysia.

“This is the best time to lay the groundwork,” said a political analyst. “The coalition is now starting to fire on all cylinders. They are doing well in Selangor and Penang. Perak is fast catching up and Kedah is also getting the hang of it. For Kelantan, PAS is so entrenched there, it is business as usual.”

“In the March 2008 general election, Pakatan didn’t just win five states, we won 48 percent of voters in West Malaysia versus the Barisan’s 51 percent. We could have won the federal government if we had done better in Sabah and Sarawak,” said KeADILan leader Sim Tze Tzin, who was Anwar’s political secretary before becoming the Pantai Jerejak assemblyman this year.

“The geographical area is also vast. You can’t just rush there, plant your flag and go for polling the next week. It takes time traversing the country and getting to know all the various people there – from the Kadazandusun, the Melanau, the Ibans, the Dayaks and all the groups.

We are there to be their catalyst for change, we are the enablers. But it is the East Malaysian people who must at the end of the day stand up and say enough is enough. Let’s get rid of the status quo and bring in new, clean government,” Sim added.

Land of the Hornbills first
The two richest states in terms of naturals resources that include timber, minerals and fisheries, Sarawakians and Sabahans are nevertheless among the poorest people in Malaysia.

“From the first time that I was there in 1963 till now, I have not seen a decent road,” said Gobalakrishnan.

“All that the leaders have done so far is to benefit themselves and to keep putting their children in Parliament. For example, take Sarawak chief, Taib. I believe his son Sulaiman is residing and bringing up a family in Canada, yet he can be in the state cabinet.”

Sulaiman, 39, is former RHB Bank chairman and is now non-executive director of Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd (CMSB), a sprawling conglomerate controlled by the Taib family. He is also the son-in-law of Deputy Chief Minister George Chan Hong Nam.

His father, Taib, has governed Sarawak with a first of iron for nearly three decades. The state BN chairman, Taib has been dogged by allegations of corruption and abuse of power. The flamboyant 72-year old is famous for his slicked-back crop of snow-white hair, immaculate dressing, palatial home and Rolls Royce limousine.

“(Anwar’s) credibilty is not that high when he said Sept 16 is his target date which he promised to be the date to form a new government,” Taib had shot back earlier this month in response to the opposition leader’s plan to move into his territory. He was referring to Anwar’s previously avowed but failed time-line to topple the BN government by Sept 16.

Sarawak – the land of the hornbills - is due to hold state election in 2011 but there is talk that the date might be brought forward to next year as the ageing and frail Taib fights to consolidate his family’s hold in power.

“We expect the Sarawak State Assembly to be dissolved by the second quarter of next year. So, it is just six months before the state election, that’s why we are focusing on this,” said KeADILan vice-president Azmin Ali.

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