The History and Geography of Sabah

5 Basics History of Sabah 1

1. What was Sabah formally known as?
North Borneo when it became a British crown colony in 1946

2. In the 18th century, which place was made to be North Borneo’s capital?
Kudat by British North Borneo Company

3. When was Sandakan made as its Capital?
In 1883

4. When Jessolton first became the capital?
After Japan surrendered in 1946

5. Why our independence day is on September 16 and not on August 31?
After North Borneo attained self-government on August 31, 1963, the British Governor was nonetheless remained in power. Due to the objection from the Philippines and Indonesia, the formation of Malaysia was delayed to September 16, 1963.

5 Basics Geography of Sabah2

1. Three highest mountains in Malaysia:
1st is Mount Kinabalu and the highest mountain in Southeast Asia at a height of 4095 metres
2nd is Mount Trus Madi at a height of 2,642 metres
3rd Mount Tambuyukon at a height of 2,579 metres

2. Population of Sabah
Approximately 2.4 millions.

3. Composition of the population
Kadazan-dusun 17.8%
Bajau 13.4%
Malay 11.5%
Murut 3.3%
Other bumiputra 14.6%
Chinese 9.6%
Other non-bumiputra 4.8%
Non-Malaysian citizen 25%

4. Kinabatangan River is the second longest river in Malaysia after Rejang River at a length of 560km

5. Sabah is the second largest state in Malaysia after Sarawak

1. http://wn.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabah

2. ibid

'Prayer for Sabah, World Peace and Earth Health'

'Prayer for Sabah, World Peace and Earth Health. ' - Raja Kumbang

WAKE UP SABAHAN! We must decide our own fate, we must stand tall and proud to be what we are, who we are, where we want to be in the future. Autonomy is a right, it doesn’t imply in anyway, independence or sedition from the nation at large! Sabah is the future of Malaysia, where every Malaysian of all colours, creeds, and faith is equally responsible for the peace and prosperity of our land and the shared future for our children.

Raja Kumbang
29th March 2008

556pm

Land below the 'Wimp'

Land below the ‘Wimp’

Apparently, it is a norm and Sabahans have become numb to the fact that “Sabah is full of resources and yet it is the poorest state”. 45 years after the formation of Malaysia, once was ranked as one of the richest states in the federation with its vast wealth from timber and oil resources, to-date, Sabah is still struggling to provide its people with good urban environments, roads without potholes, street lamps that actually work and even proper bus stops. [1]

Ironically, according to Wikipedia, Sabah’s theoretical autonomy has been given up notwithstanding that it was a condition when the then Borneo interim government had agreed to join the federation. It was also in the part of our history that disproportionate power had been given to the indigenous Muslim Bajau ethnic group at the expense of the mainly Christian indigenous Kadazan-Dusun, the largest ethnic group. Part of the contributions to the state of Sabah having the largest number of people below poverty line in Malaysia, and lower than the Indonesian national poverty rate and in the same level as Aceh and Myanmar based on 2004 UN figures is that under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, RM16.908 billion has been allocated for Sabah but it is still only 8% of the total national budget for a population of Sabah of more than 13%, and area of more than 25%![2]

No wonder, every one of us is wondering “What on earth happened to Sabah?”

5 HIGHEST-LOWEST OF SABAH

SABAH has the HIGHEST cost of living in Malaysia
SABAH has the HIGHEST poverty level in Malaysia
SABAH has the HIGHEST unemployment rate in Malaysia
SABAH has the LOWEST average income in Malaysia AND
SABAH is the POOREST state in Malaysia

[1] Discovering architecture in Singapore by Richard Nelson Sokian–Daily Express 24th March 2008

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabah

Let us HOPE...

Let us HOPE…

One early morning, I woke up from my dream, with a dream: ‘Let us Hope…’

The kind of visionary leadership needed to overcome the racial agenda, non-indigenous population, to fight the systematic discrimination and oppression.

We need a Martin Luther King amongst the minority, non-indigenous population, to fight the systematic discrimination and oppression.

And we need an Abraham Lincoln, amongst the dominant majority, to acknowledge that oppression of the minority races must give way to liberty and equality, for a true nation to strive forward the future. Here’s the challenge?

Who amongst our leaders: showing the compassion, mindset, intellectual capacity to be a Lincoln, and who amongst the minority ‘groups’ portray the bravery and commitment to fight injustice?

“Integration” is not playing drums together on tv, but when people truly pledge and feel that they are sons and daughters of their nation, and accept each other as brothers and sisters, not merely tolerating each other presence; we must share this vision that this land is home for all of us, and not see some who live here, as temporary tenant!

The acknowledgment of history of the past is a foundation to building ties in future; recognition of heroes amongst all races in nationbuilding, giving the same honour and footage is as important as building skyscrapers and sending astronauts, in its aesthetic value to shape the mindset of the populace.

People must be shown to be part of the community and encourage to assert so, how many new streets and buildings are named in that sense, of our forefathers.

Diversity per se is like the ying-yang, nothing good or bad. But is in the dynamicity that we can harness goods, unity, understanding, but be wary of conflict and popularisations.

Conflict is not bad, is an opportunity us inadvertent in life! However conflict resolution is a must. Conflict (sudden breakthrough) and crisis (opportunity in times of adversity) are situations that may bring about beneficial change. As Ghandi has asserted, confrontation does not necessary lead to violence. In court, in parliament, in elections, people are in confrontation, but not necessary violent.

We must as a society matures, have the capacity to recognize diversity and respect difference, even at times agree to disagree, as long as the bigger picture of shared vision, shared objectives are maintained.

We need to embrace more compassion in all our lives, family, neighbours, friends as well as “enemies”. Manifesto of violence and threat is negative; Manifesto of reconciliation, and hope! Is the way forward. Manifesto of pledges to give, should be balance with pledges to engage and involve all levels of society. Manifesto should not be merely “promises to give” but ‘promises to take’ as well, to challenge the mindset of the electorate, populace to willing to make sacrifice, to negotiate, to work hard (harder and smarter) to unity.

Unity is the foundation to sustainable peace and growth. It foster mutual trust, allows individuals potentials to fully achieve, and the nation as a whole to progress.

proudly Sabahan and Malaysian,


Raja Kumbang

A Way of Life

A way of life

'A city of modernity yet cloaked with romantic colonial charm. That is the appeal of kuching, the capital of Sarawak, where cleanliness is a way of life. And through this garden city meanders the Sarawak River that gives life to its community.'

This is how exactly i would describe Kuching soon after I stepped out from the Kuching International Airport. Along the roadsides, 'Green' is the theme. At the Riverside, my mind was inspired by the modern business surrounding and my senses were captured by its excellent landscape; a picture of life, culture,arts laid before me.

Not too long ago, I returned to KK. My feeling was not pleasant at all as I noticed none of the tress found in the heart of KK was seen well taken care of, unlike in 'The Land of the majestic hornill', even a tree found 7 miles away from the Town Centre is seen to be 'full of life'.

After my trip to Kuching, a 'soulful of journey of faith', I begin to ask myself: "What's wrong with Sabah?"

26th March 2008

1:25am

To all Sabahans

In 2004 General Elections campaign, BN came out with its manifesto. The promises made, among others, were:

1. It ensures that no group is neglected or left behindm and that each citizen has a stake in nation-building

2. Believing in fair and equitable sharing of the fruits of economic growth. Developmen must benefit all areas of the country and all groups

3. It upholds the diversity of religious practice, language and culture; and safeguards the interests of all citizen, listens to and acts on the hopes and aspirations of all groups regardless of age, gender,ethnic background and religion

4. It will defend the Constitution and the laws of the country

5. While Islam is the official religion, it believes in a tolerant and progressive Islam. Freedom to worship other religion is guaranteed by the Constitution.

This my prayer for the nation of Sabah:

Dear Father in Heaven

I want to praise God for your mercy and grace on this land. Lord, help our nation and the people by giving us a Prime Minister who is humble and willing to serve the community. Raise up more of your people in the Parliament who will fight and protect our interests without fear or favour and Build a cabinet with good governance and righteousness for the interests of every states. Pray that Lord, give fresh visions to all politicians with a heart for the people and set aside all personal agendas, especially for Chinese ministers and elected representatives, Fill them with wisdom and discernment and grounded in truth to stand firm on godly principles without fear of man or influence.

Lord, I want to praise You for all the Sabahans with full of passion who are far but whose hearts are close to the heart of Sabah. Comfort them and strengthen them with Your Faith and Love.

Protect us and guard us in what we do and say Lord, for You are Almighty God for You are For us and No one can be against us.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.


25th March 2008
1043pm