The progress and prosperity that Sarawak has been able to achieve thus far are the fruits of the common struggle that entails a lot of sacrifices; they do not come on their own. The success is remarkable as proven by the fact that Sarawak has been pulled out from the backwater lane of development to become one of the fastest development states in the country. It truly depicts the spirit of the struggle that is being strengthened by the right political discipline that motivates moderation in the struggle for nation building.
Hence, there is no place for the opposition and the government to consider each other as enemies as they have the common role to play in the services of the State and country. Besides, all of them should share a common desire to fill Independence with greater progress and development for the new generations towards the year 2020 and beyond.
For example, after political campaigns in the elections the people, politicians in particular should mend their ways to become friendly again towards each other. They should think as Malaysians of Anak Sarawak. After all, that is the meaning of 1Malaysia to have the soul of someone, who is committed to develop Sarawak, to develop Malaysia to become more progressive and prosperous. It is the only option to meet the needs and aspirations of the new generation, who yearn for greater prosperity, political stability and unity among the people.
The State now having a per capita of RM33,000 is only short of RM12,000 to the magic figure of RM45,000, the international benchmark for a developed economy. At the rate of growth of the State’s economy of 6% to 8% annually, RM12,000 to be achieved in 10 years should not be difficult to do so. Even with a modest growth of less than 5%, Sarawak will be able to achieve the objectives of Vision 2020, the attainment of the status of a developed nation by the year 2020
That will be the standard of living of people who are in schools now. Therefore, the new generation must think properly that nothing worthwhile can be achieved without good discipline. And if they choose to become politicians later on they must choose to become good politicians and not only half way ones.
They must recognise, preserve and value factors that have contributed to the State’s success as the basis of the continuous struggle to achieve greater success in future. Generally, the people should not throw valuable experiences that have given us success. Instead, they must be nurtured, improved and enriched in order to bring Sarawak to achieve a per capita income of more than US15,000 by the year 2020.
Understandably, the State development programme, SCORE in particular, if successfully implemented will enable Sarawak to achieve more than double the aim of US15,000 by the year 2020. That means school boys and school girls of today can expect to earn better income once they leave schools with good qualifications or trainings.
It is projected that about 52% of jobs in the local market, each will pay around RM3,000 per month. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the new generation to preserve the disciplines that have brought success to Sarawak and push it to the higher level of success in future. They are namely political, economic and personal disciplines.
There cannot be prosperity without political discipline. Nor can there be real successful development without economic discipline. Everything that needs to be done needs discipline, which should start from homes and schools. Basically, a person with good personal discipline can discuss things well with colleagues in order to develop a good group discipline.
Generally, the people must avoid thinking that they will not need good disciplines once the country achieves that status of a developed nation. For example, they can do what ever they want as the government must accede to their demands. This will not happen as can be seen happening in a number of developed countries that are facing a bleak or uncertain future in Europe. For example, the people in Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Spain and lately Italy are facing the possibility that their countries, their banks will go bankrupt without political disciplines.
The government leaders in those countries realise that, without political discipline, they will not be able to sustain their progress, prosperity and stability for the future. Now the affected countries have to impose strict austerity measures or measures that restrict spending and the people must become more industrious in whatever they do in order to save their economies.
On the other hand, certain groups do not believe in having austerity drive; they believe that their economy will come normal sooner or later. Of course, this will not happen as long as the people do not recognise the need to have strong political discipline. If they remain indiscipline they will frighten investors away. They will also frighten investors away as long they keep on rallying more and more people to take part in public demonstrations and burn motorcars, buildings and other public properties like in London, Greece and other places.
The rate of unemployment in USA is increasing. At least 17% of the people in USA can be considered as poor. USA is the biggest world economy or the richest country with the most modern technology in the world. And yet it has the problem of high rate of poverty in its midst. The question we have to ask ourselves is why? USA may be the most modern country in the world but the political leaders do not believe in political compromise; there is no compromise between the Republicans and Democrats in politics. They only believe in getting political mileage in whatever they do. In other words, they don’t give way to each other and fight along political lines. Obviously, this is not the ways to govern the country.
Chief Minister, Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, in his speech during a recent gathering to mark Malaysia Day, says Sarawak will be able to achieve more than double the aim of US15,000 by the year 2020 and that means better income for the school boys and school girls of today. That means 52% of jobs in the local market, each will be able to pay about RM3,000 per month. Therefore, it will depend on the new generation to preserve disciplines that can push the State to the higher level of success in future.
He calls on the people, young people in particular to make it their resolution to preserve and develop political, economic and personal disciplines to ensure Sarawak will become part of a big and prosperous nation that all can be proud of by the year 2020.
Undoubtedly, the continuous struggle to improve the standard of living of the people has been able to involve the overwhelming majority of people in the common struggle for nation building. It has also been able to set up a political party that has a strong realisation for the need of unity among the people.
Admittedly, the leaders initially had to face a lot of challenges in the struggle to bring together the people, who comprise of various ethnic groups residing in remote areas in the Ulu and coastal areas with those in urban areas because of differences in ethnic backgrounds and religious beliefs.
At one time, there were cases of people getting divorced; couples broke their engagements because of differences in political affiliations and quarrels among the people. Sarawak has left behind the bitter episode to become history in the political struggle to serve as the reminder that the people should not succumb to emotions too much in the struggle for nation building.
Undoubtedly, the struggle has been successful in changing the strong fighting spirit of the people for Independence that sometimes led to enmity between political parties to the spirit of unity with the common desire to achieve progress and prosperity. More importantly, it succeeded in overcoming the security threat posed by armed terrorists of CCO in the 60s and 70s.
Pehin Sri Abdul Taib, who was among the leaders to fight for Sarawak’s Independence through the formation of Malaysia, says the celebration of Malaysia Day is truly significant for Sarawak and Sabah. It is to commemorate the event on September 16, 1963 that changed the status of the people from being colonised to become free and independent people.
As Independent people, they have the freedom, power and responsibility to improve their own livelihood. They should be able to benefit from the common struggle in nation building provided they have the disciplines in using their energy and freedom to improve themselves. On the other hand, the State and country, as what have been happening in other countries after years of independence, can go backward and finally destroyed; the people do not benefit from Independence.
benuasains
*Photos Source:
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