President's policy speech on 25 October 1999

It is with great pleasure and honour that I welcome each and everyone of you to this 14^th Annual Congress of Parti Bersatu Sabah. I thank you for your presence here, especially the delegates and representatives from the 49 divisions throughout the State. As president of Parti Bersatu Sabah, let me say that I deeply appreciate and value your continued support for the party and especially your presence at this 14^th Annual Congress. From the firmness of your handshakes, the warmth of your smiles and the overall mood of this gathering, I can sense the overwhelming confidence, commitment and trust you have in the struggle of PBS which we must continue to pursue.

3. This 14^th Annual Congress marks the 6^th year of PBS’ service to the people of Sabah and Malaysia as an opposition party. The last 14 years have been challenging indeed where for 9 years we had the privilege of serving the people as the government of Sabah. During our four successive terms as government we served Sabah very well, both in terms of delivering development to the people as well as ensuring a proper and effective administrative system. When we compare Sabah today to Sabah during PBS’ rule, Sabah under PBS was much better off on all fronts.

4. During PBS’ rule Sabah had more development projects especially in the rural areas, greater foreign and domestic investments, better economic policies and programmes, more assistance programmes for the poor, old and unprivileged, and better discipline, transparency and order in the State’s administration. More importantly, Sabah was safer for our children and grand children.

5. In contrast, the Barisan Nasional’s State government is famous only for its endless promises of development which are never fulfilled. The famous Sabah Baru promises of zero poverty, zero illiteracy, a house for every Sabahan, 2,000 miles of new roads and 200 miles of new railway track by Year 2000, and a host of other election promises are now nothing more than mere political gimmicks. The promises were basically intended to hoodwink the people.

6. Sabah today is no longer the Sabah that our founding fathers envisaged in 1963 when the Malaysian nation was formed. Sabah today is not the same Sabah stipulated and instituted by the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report and the Malaysia Agreement. In brief, the Barisan Nasional has caused Sabah to lose its political and administrative integrity, compromised its constitutional and legal autonomy, and eroded its territorial security and rights. Today Sabah government leaders can no longer make significant decisions in matters of policy and administration without first seeking approval from their political masters in Kuala Lumpur.

7. In my policy speech during our 13^th party Congress last year, I stated that Sabah was at the crossroads. Let me reiterate that Sabah is still at the crossroads. The state has lost much time and space. Our children’s future is at stake. The political culture of disorder, insincerity and broken promises cannot be allowed to continue. We must join hands to rescue Sabah from the huge mess that has threatened its future and the future of our children and grand children.

8. This year’s Congress is taking place some seven months after the State election held in March this year. Of course, we were full of confidence and had high hopes that PBS would be returned by the people of Sabah as the ruling party in order to save the State from the political mess created by the Barisan Nasional. We all worked very hard especially at the grassroots level to ensure that the voters understood our struggle and the vision and plans we formulated for Sabah had PBS won the election. We laid out in detail our development agenda as contained in the election manifesto. Most Malaysians in Sabah and other parts of the country expected PBS to win. The political sentiments and support at the grassroots level leading into the election were indeed in our favour.

9. During the campaign period PBS absorbed the full might of the Barisan Nasional’s election machinery which included the entire Federal and State administrative apparatus and functionaries. Our opponents comprised not only the State government and the eight BN parties in Sabah but the entire Malaysian government machinery. All Federal ministers and deputy ministers, Chief Ministers/Menteris Besar, members of parliament, senators, EXCO members, ADUNs and other government politicians from throughout the country physically swarmed the entire surface and landscape of Sabah to bully and fight against PBS and our supporters.

10. The Barisan Nasional also exploited fully its standard election weapons such as promises of development projects, threats of suffering and underdevelopment if Sabahans did not reject the opposition, media monopoly, unfair tactics, money politics, and phantom voters in order to deprive PBS of a victory in the election. We have solid proof of these irregularities and wrongdoings and therefore have taken the task to bring them before the courts in the form of election petitions. This action is proof of PBS’ consistent struggle for justice and democracy on behalf and for the people of Sabah.

11. While PBS won only 17 seats as against 31 for the Barisan Nasional, we should be proud of our achievements. The 213,630 votes obtained by our candidates in the 48 constituencies were hard-earned and comprised the genuine voices of true Malaysians in Sabah. They were those who understood the PBS struggle and responded to the call for political change and restoration of the original Sabah. More importantly, the combined votes obtained by the opposition (267,072) were about 30,000 more than the votes received by the Barisan Nasional (240,106). The results were clearly conclusive. More Sabahans rejected the Barisan Nasional than the number of people supporting it. This fact is clear proof that the present State government lacks the popular majority conventionally required for governing in a popular democracy.

12. The results of the election have strategic implications for PBS as we re-evaluate our position and plan for our future destiny. First, the results showed that the support for PBS remains strong and solid.PBS is still the single most popular and respected party in Sabah. Take heart therefore and continue to struggle harder to achieve the party’s goals because there are many, many of us – about 214,000 excluding those who could not or did not vote during the last election.

13. Secondly, our political task remains unfinished.Our political struggle is not yet completed. Hence, we must continue to move forward and work doubly hard to pursue the party’s goals and aspirations. As I have already said, we need to restore Sabah’s dignity and rightful position in the Malaysian federation. Only PBS can truly represent the people of Sabah in pursuing this struggle. Our political goals are noble. And because they are noble, I believe the people of Sabah will continue to support our struggle in order that one day we will reap the success of our pursuits. Let us rise up to meet the challenges of our mission for the sake of Sabah and the future of our children and grand children.

14. This 14^th Annual Congress is also significant in that it is being held exactly 68 days before the start of Year 2000 which in turn will usher the new millennium. As we gather here over the next two days to conduct the affairs and legal obligations of our party, it is important that we become mindful of the political and economic challenges confronting our nation. This will enable us in PBS to play our rightful role in evolving the Malaysia we desire especially as we approach the new millennium.

15. Many observers both within and outside the country claim that Malaysia has made substantial strides in its political and economic affairs in the last decade or so. Of course, we do not deny that there has been some progress. The question is whether such progress is really tangible, beneficial to the people in the long term, equitable and just, and whether it was achieved at an acceptable cost to society in terms of economic resources and democratic freedom. Let me say at the outset that despite some progress made on several fronts, all is not well with Malaysia. There are many things that are not right, particularly matters that resulted from incorrect government actions. Unless these wrong decisions, abuses, excesses and injustices are resolved, Malaysia will not progress much into the new millennium.

16. First, over the last few years the national government has become increasingly authoritarian and gives little tolerance or respect to dissenting views and opinions. Opposition views, no matter how constructive, are regarded as anti-government or even worse, anti-national.

17. Second, the Federal government has become increasingly vindictive and high-handed in its treatment towards opposing political opinions. Arrests or threats of arrest of opposition political leaders in the Peninsula in recent months are symptomatic of the government’s intolerance to political attacks or expression of criticisms.

18. Third, the government’s unfettered control of the media has led to the lack of access to accurate information by the public regarding the true state of affairs of the nation’s political problems and economic challenges. In Malaysia, increasingly the media cannot say what it really wants to say without facing undue pressure and censorship.

19. Fourth, there has been a tendency by the national government in recent years to pride itself in wanting to be a champion in many things without due regard to the economic costs to society and the resulting economic injustices such actions cause on the poor and disadvantage. The construction of the Petronas twin towers in Kuala Lumpur, unjustified new interstate highways on the mainland, and the excessively huge KLIA and Putrajaya are clear examples. These are essentially "grandiose and pet projects" of the national leadership which are really not required by ordinary Malaysians especially at a time when under-development and poverty remain persistently high in states like Sabah, Sarawak and Kelantan.

20. Fifth, the famous "black eye" incident where a prominent member of the public was purposely injured while in police custody has cast doubts on the ability of the security institutions to protect its citizens.

21. Sixth, questions and debates on the independence of the judiciary have intensified and widened but the government has done nothing to address such public opinions and perceptions and thereby improve the image of the judiciary.

22. Seventh, the central government continues to interfere in the affairs of state governments especially in Sabah where the State constitution was amended on the dictates of the federal leadership. The federal government introduced the 2-year rotation system of the chief minister’s post even though the system has never been imposed on other State governments in the country.

23. Eighth, the Barisan Nasional continues to thrive on its established political strategy of "divide and rule" especially in dealing with political problems and developments in Malaysian Borneo, particularly Sabah.

24. Ninth, the "political culture of denial" is now rampant as exemplified by such statements as "all is well" or "there is no problem" uttered by Barisan Nasional leaders despite the serious existence of actual problems that threaten the very fabric of Malaysian society including its economic, security and political future.

25. Tenth, the "political culture of broken promises" has continued to dominate the political style of the Barisan Nasional especially during elections. The aim is to use promises of development as "political baits" to fish for votes even though the practice is clearly corrupt and against legal provisions of the Election Offences Act and other election laws.

26. Eleventh, the undemocratic use of phantom voters and other forms of cheating by the Barisan Nasional to turn election results in its favour is becoming institutionalised despite the Election Commission repeatedly denying such acts in the face of increasing proof of occurrences reported by the public.

27. These are but only some of the serious problems confronting Malaysia and the national political leadership. The problems are serious because they affect the very tenets of our democratic traditions, justice, constitutional framework, and the basic foundations of our nation. If these critical issues are not resolved, then it is unlikely that Malaysia can make a major leap forward in its political and economic endeavour in the new millennium.

28. It is in this context that Parti Bersatu Sabah has a crucial role to play in order that Malaysian nation-building process will truly mature and thereby creates a united, dynamic, secured and prosperous country in line with the aspirations of Vision 2020. This is why I said that our struggle is far from over.

29. We have achieved much for the people of Sabah and Malaysia during our 14 years of political struggle. But there is a lot more to pursue and do. We cannot stop halfway. We must move on. And I therefore urge each and everyone of you to renew your commitment to the party’s struggle and ensure that you have a place in history for the contributions you make in achieving the Sabah we want for our children and grandchildren.

30. As we are all aware, Malaysians including those in Sabah will be required to perform one important, constitutional duty as we move into the new millennium. This duty is to elect a new national government that will lead Malaysia into the 21^st century. While we do not know the exact date of the election, it is likely to be held any time between now and July next year. As we conduct the business of our party over the next two days, let me also refresh your memory and understanding of the party’s struggle. This is important as we seek to offer PBS to be the voice of the people of Sabah in the national parliament, or for that matter their representative in the national government to be formed after the election.

31. Since 14 years ago, PBS has remained resilient and faithful to the support and call of the people to struggle for justice, dignity, democratic freedom, and prosperity without fear or favour. We are ready to pursue and continue the people’s struggle and quest for a better Sabah and a better Malaysia. PBS has continuously reassessed and reorganised itself, strengthened and produced new leaders of better caliber, sincerity and integrity to replace those disloyal and insincere ones who deserted the voters in 1994 and subsequent years.

32. On this particularly subject, let me say as President of the party that I have tirelessly worked to invest time, resources and energy in training and producing trustworthy and dependable leaders for the people. Leaders of unquestionable integrity and sincerity whose heart and desires are to serve the people, nothing less and nothing more. Despite these efforts, we still faced defections recently because there are irresponsible human beings in this world such the ADUNs for Kuamut and Pensiangan who think of their stomach first and cheat the people to achieve their selfish political ends. Such people cannot be called "leaders" and must be rejected and doomed into the political wilderness. We in PBS can afford to throw away such leaders because they are useless to society in any case. As for the ADUNs for Kuamaut and Pensiangan who became "Yang Berhormat" on PBS tickets, we call on them to resign immediately and seek re-election if they do not wish to carry their load of shame and the people’s wrath for the rest of their life.

33. As known from the track record of PBS over the last 14 years, PBS seeks to uphold and pursue the following vision, ideals and beliefs:

Safeguarding parliamentary democracy.
Protecting the dignity of man.
Recognising, respecting and upholding Islam as the official religion of Malaysia while maintaining freedom to practise other religions.
Providing assistance to the development of all established religions and cultures.
Providing support and equal opportunities to independent and aided schools.
Enhancing unity in diversity.
Ensuring secured future for all Malaysians in Sabah.
Working towards elimination of unprincipled and dishonourable politics.
Pursuing dynamic, balanced and sustainable economic, social and cultural development.
Ensuring improved quality and justice for all.
Pursuing prudent management and conservation of natural resources and environment.
Working towards enhanced federal-state cooperation, understanding and mutual respect.
Ensuring protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sabah within the Malaysian federation.

34. Let me stress that on all these matters, PBS has been sincere, consistent and resilient in its stand and commitments. PBS is committed to make the people of Sabah proud of being Malaysians, united, principled, honourable, progressive, self-reliant, vibrant and information literate, prosperous and endowed with a caring attitude and a deep sense of respect for one another.

35. PBS has proven for the last 14 years, and especially in the last 5 years, that it is the only party that can champion the interests and rights of Sabah in the Malaysian federation. PBS through its resilient, sincere, principled and fearless leadership is set to further enhance the State’s struggle towards an honourable and secured future in the new millennium. To achieve all these aspirations, PBS is the only true choice for Sabahans’ voice and representation in parliament.

36. Our achievements as Sabahans’ voice in the State Legislative Assembly and national parliament are clear for all to see and evaluate:

PBS has successfully unified the people under the umbrella of multi-racial politics.
PBS is far-sighted, fair, moderate and humanistic in its political struggle.
PBS has successfully delivered development to the people during its terms in government.
PBS stands for unity in diversity. It is a party of peace, harmony, mutual respect, moderation and progress.
PBS is the only protector and guardian of Sabah’s rights and the rights of Malaysians elsewhere; it never compromises justice, fairness, dignity of man and the democratic rights of the people.
PBS is the guardian of ethical political conduct, exemplary leadership, and responsible actions towards society.PBS is the people’s party with the people’s heart and proven in its struggle in upholding principles and dignity.
PBS has proven its commitment and sincerity to protect the rights and interests of Malaysians in Sabah.
It has brought Sabahans to the mainstream of political consciousness within and outside Malaysia through its noble and consistent political objectives.
PBS has proven its tolerance, endurance and resilience in its quest for economic, social and political development in Sabah especially during its terms of government.
PBS has always defended Sabah and will ensure it is developed and ushered into a dynamic era of sustainable economic and socio-political standing in line with the Rukun Negara and objectives of Vision 2020 through its strong voice in the Legislative Assembly and national parliament.

Strong Opposition and Electoral Understanding

37. These are the primary goals of our struggle that we have pursued and achieved for the people of Sabah since our formation in 1985. Today, Malaysia needs a new government to correct and resolve the numerous problems and malpractices I described earlier. At the very least, Malaysians need a strong opposition voice in parliament. For Sabah a strong opposition voice will not only protect the State from further federal interference but would also put the BN state government on its toes so that it cannot simply do whatever it likes at the expense of the people’s rights, democratic freedom, and state’s wealth and assets.

38. Our political struggle must be pursued with greater intensity. And in order to maximise the chances of defeating the Barisan Nasional at the national level during the coming election, we must defeat their candidates in Sabah. Based on the March 1999 State election, the combined opposition can win at least 15 parliamentary seats if our votes are not split. In order to pursue this goal, the party leadership has decided to work towards an electoral understanding with other opposition parties in Sabah that are credible, enjoy strong grassroots support, and have similar ideals and political objectives as PBS. The strategic arrangements are being worked out and the details will be disclosed as soon as parliament is dissolved.

39. As President of Parti Bersatu Sabah, I take this opportunity to call upon each and every one of us here to refresh our love for the party, renew commitment to the party’s struggle, and reinforce our determination to succeed in our pursuits. As I have said our struggle is far from over (Perjuangan Belum Selesai). The state’s financial mess and the nation’s economic problems have to be solved. The illegal immigrants problem and fake identity card rackets must be resolved. The worsening problem of phantom voters and pollution of the electoral roll cannot be allowed to continue. Sabah’s rights and state’s assets must be safeguarded and protected.

40. The people of Sabah, our children and grandchildren are crying out to us to take the stand and pursue these goals through our political struggle. Let us accept the call of duty and make Sabah and Malaysia a better place to live in the new millennium. This is a sacred duty - a task that cannot be done by one person. Hand in hand we can do it together. The PBS warm, firm handshake which symbolises unity, friendship and security can do it! United we can do it.