Wednesday, November 12, 2008

May The Force Be With You!

Let me begin this entry with a silly sounding question, but please don't ignore and belittle the question since it is very significant to all Malaysians. How long we have been together as Malaysians? According to historical fact, we have been together for about 45 years. Many have been born and died for this nation, yet many still don't feel like they are Malaysians since they have been treated or to be exact they have been mistreated by their so-called brothers.

Today, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), the governing body for medical practitioners questioned the Health Ministry's policy to assign Sabahans to do their housemanship in Sabah by saying that Peninsular too is facing shortage of doctors. From a narrow point of view such reasoning may hold water in terms of those trainees' choice of housemanship but as we have already know and I admit I am a bit ashamed of it that Sabah despite of its size and natural resources, is and still is the poorest state in Malaysia. Not just among the poorest but THE POOREST!

Therefore it is only right for them to be trained and assigned in their home state in order for them to understand and feel the dire situation face by their 'families' here in this poorest state in Malaysia. Though they are just doing their housemanship but they are in reality contributing towards improving the lives of many people, their own flesh and blood and not just strangers. Maybe they have been away for too long thus it is only appropriate for them to get reaquinted with their roots- to see the hardship and sufferings of their own people.

On another issue, the government's decision to build petrochemical related inustries in Sabah is certainly welcomed but many including Backbenchers in Sabah are still sceptical on the move since mere political promise even by the PM is not a solid guarantee that it will become reality since we have precedents where promises are reneged by stubborn subordinates and those who give the promises turn the other sides pretending that they never made the promises.

It is indeed heart breaking and dissapointing to see and feel partners being marginalised though from historical and political facts Sabah is an integral part of the power held by the BN since 1963 without which UMNO in particular will not be able to hold unto the power it currently enjoys albeit its shaky situation.

We are only asking for what really belong to us from the first day Malaysia is established and for many years we have to endure being marginalised in many ways though it may resulted from our own undoings but being Muslims those in BN should know the importance of keeping their promises and the call for justice and avoiding discriminations. To all Sabahan MPs and fellow Malaysians keep on your struggle to point out the right ways.

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