"Bumiputra Sabah" proposal by PBS

I was right when I posted my comment against the proposal to classify the ethnic races of Sabah to be known as ‘Bumiputra Sabah’ in lieu of ‘other races’ in the Federal Government affairs and forms. 

Johnny Mositun is the PBS Information Chief and the Deputy Speaker of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly who made the proposal which was published in the Daily Express Thursday April 9, 2009 and also in the Bernama report Wednesday April 8, 2009 and I quote as follows:

“Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) wants the ethnic races of Sabah to be known as Bumiputera Sabah and not as 'other races' in the Federal government affairs and forms.

Its chief information officer, Johnny Mositun said this was in line with the '1Malaysia' concept introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak which emphasised on fair and impartial treatment of all ethnic races.

He said the categories of races in most forms listed major races as the Malays, Chinese, Indians and other races.

"As such the ethnic groups of Sabah and Sarawak fall under the 'other races' category. It is high time that Bumiputeras in Sabah as well as in Sarawak are recognised as clusters of major races in Malaysia.

"There are more than 30 ethnic races in Sabah. This include Kadazandusun, Murut, Bajau and Rungus but it is suffice if the cluster is known as Bumiputera Sabah and not as other races," he told Bernama here, Wednesday.”

My contention was, and still is, that ‘Bumiputra Sabah’ is not the right term to call the ethnic races of Sabah as its connotation is purely an economical term. And I am proven right when the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak removed the 30% bumiputra equity condition in 27 services sub-sectors, with immediate effect (refer to Star Wednesday April 22, 2009).

“Business communities have applauded the removal of the 30% bumiputra equity quota in 27 services sub-sectors, saying the new regulation will attract more investments and create a competitive business environment” the Star reported on Thursday April 23, 2009.

Association of Malaysian Hauliers (AMH) president Datuk Ahmad Shalimin Shaffie said the move was timely due to the drop in cargo volume which was affecting every player in the whole supply chain, including haulage. The StarOnLine.

National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia secretary-general Datuk Syed Hussein Al Hasbhee said Malaysian companies would be better positioned to penetrate booming international markets such as in the Middle East.

“Race should not be a factor as long as they can bring in the money and promote their services,” Datuk Syed Hussein added. The StarOnLine.

If we, the Natives of Sabah, are classified as such, then we would have suffered this drawback in view of the Government Policy to remove the Bumiputra proviso.

The term ‘Bumiputra’ is an economic designation/description of those given special affirmative action under the New Economic Policy. It was never intended to be a description of a race but rather to differentiate the non-Bumiputra with the Bumiputras when according special privileges to the beneficiaries of the NEP.

The indigenous people of Sabah are described and known as the ‘Natives of Sabah’. This description ‘Native’ is defined clearly in the Interpretation (Definition of Native) Ordinance Cap 64 and is recognised in the Federal Constitution likewise. The Natives of Sabah have special privileges in addition to the privileges in the National Economic Policy (NEP), and that is the right to own Native Titled Lands in Sabah; our special Native Customary laws and other privileges as guaranteed by the Ordinances, Statutes and the State and Federal Constitutions to which the other races like the Malays (who are Bumiputras too) are not accorded with as far as Sabah is concerned.