Sabah: what is the future?

My apologies for the late update of my blog. I have been so busy getting adjusted with some changes in my life, that I couldn't spare some time to sit down, sort out the ideas in my head and start jotting down. Somehow, I need to start getting committed to express life seen from my eyes in words. Then again, that was what I was saying years ago. Anyway..

I'm currently reading a book penned down by Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan entitled "Justice for Sabah". Considering that the Malaysians are bombarded with the news of the current, tumultuous political atmosphere on the telly everyday, I find this book worth reading. It gives a detailed narration of injustice and violations of rights upon Sabahans, supported by numerous information on historical written evidence (statistics, laws, agreements etc.), added with the experience by DDJK when he was in a 4-year detainment under the Internal Security Act (ISA) since 1991.

After reading the first few pages of the book, I can't help but feeling shocked as how much Sabah has suffered since joining the Federation of Malaysia. There is so much violation made by the Federal government on the Twenty Points, which was composed in order to protect Sabahans from falling into another type of colonialism after Britain. It is also an irony where Sabah, which is supposed to be very rich in natural resources - oil, timber etc. - is listed as the poorest state in Sabah. What's wrong? Why do we end up like this?

After reading the book, I came to a realization as how unaware I was with what is happening in my own soil. Yes, I saw numerous poor Sabahans when I travel into the interiors of Sabah (these people are living in hardcore poverty). True, I see so many illegal immigrants coming into Sabah and becoming naturalized in such a short period of time. I am aware that the Federal government has screwed up the political system of Sabah. But neither would I imagine the depth of this political exacerbation nor know how long since this started. No wonder this problem is hard to solve. It has deeply rooted as time goes by.

Frankly speaking, I fear for the future of Sabahans. Every morning when I wake up from bed, I wonder what today is going to be. The government is so shaky that anything can happen in a split second. A very fine example is the recent fuel price hike - it was announced just a few hours before it was imposed. Such a ridiculous decision!

I'm not trying to be very political here, because I know it is not my calling. Well, at least for now. I'm observing how Sabah has been progressing (or regressing) these past years. Sabah has been a laughing stock because of its history of political upheaval (where politicians became party defectors). However, if it is God's will that this political turbulence should come to pass, we Christians just have to be prepared. Who knows? This may be one of the signs that the End of Days is around the corner.

"Lord, bless Sabah & bring us out from this political unrest.. but let only Your will be done.."