It was only two weeks ago that the people of Sabah celebrated the 44th Malaysia Day on September 16 under protest — as the significance of the formation of Malaysia on that date had been virtually ignored in the 50th Merdeka anniversary celebrations resulting in a renewed call for Sept. 16 to be declared a national holiday to be an annual reminder to all Malaysians throughout the country of its meaning and importance.
However there had been no lack of somber reminders to Sabahans and Malaysians in recent months that in many important aspects, the clock of national integration and nation-building had gone backwards instead of striking boldly forward to create an united, vibrant, progressive and harmonious Bangsa Malaysia.
Only this month, it surfaced that there is not only the phenomenon of the marginalization of the Kadazandusun-Murut (KDM) community in Sabah, which I had highlighted in Parliament, but there is also the sub-marginalisation of the KDM when Sino-Kadazandusuns with Chinese surnames suffer a new discrimination when they are rejected from investing in Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd (ASNB) schemes.
ASNB had announced that the applications by at least 100 persons of Sino Kadazan descent to invest in ASNB were rejected as they could not produce a native certificate.
Section 2(1)(b) of the Interpretation (Definition of Native) Ordinance under the laws of Sabah cannot be clearer that a Sino Kadazandusun is a bumiputra, as it states that a Native is any person ordinarily resident in Sabah and being and living as a member of a native community, one at least of whose parents or ancestors is or was a native.
Sino Kadazandusuns are outraged at the ASNB rejection of their birth certificate officially stating the identity and status of one of their parents as a native and requiring them to get a Native Certificate when for over 23 years the Sabah State Government had imposed a freeze order on the Native Court system on the issuance of Native Certificates.
At a time when the government is publicly talking about introducing a more efficient and people-oriented public service delivery system, there are increasing instances of new-fangled bureaucracies and red-tapes flying in the face of common sense and logic as well as causing unnecessary frustrations and hardships among the people.
The marginalization and sub-marginalisation of the KDM community in Sabah must stop.
If this issue is not immediately resolved and Sino Kadazandusuns given full recognition of their rights as Sabah Natives in accordance with Sabah customs and law, DAP MPs will take up the issue in Parliament when it reconvenes after the current recess on Oct. 22.
When this happens, I hope that all Sabah Members of Parliament regardless of race, religion or political party, will stand up with the DAP MPs on a common cause to end the marginalisation and sub-marginalisation of the KDM community in Sabah.
(Media Conference Statement 3 in Tawau on Sunday, 30th September 2007)