This article first appeared in Forum, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on August 12, 2024 - August 18, 2024

It is enlightening to see a Malaysian leader who not only speaks about development and advancement but who takes action to achieve these aims. Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg certainly has a vision for the Sarawak he intends to build. He is bold and confident, and isn’t hiding behind any façade or charade, or parading to gain political brownie points. He is highly focused on making Sarawak an economic powerhouse. That is the main message behind every speech he gives and each public appearance he makes.

He says things without fear and favour and doesn’t seem to need to kowtow to anyone, especially the federal government. In fact, Sarawak is the kingmaker, and nothing will stop it from going full speed ahead. It understands its position and strategic location, and is driven to build up its strength to capitalise on the rise of the new Indonesian capital, Bandar Nusantara, in Kalimantan. The agenda is clear, Abang Johari is doing it for the people of Sarawak.

One thing that Sarawak does not have is the racial and religious baggage that seems to be weighing down this side of the country. Sarawak’s population is mainly made up of Iban, Chinese, Malay-Melanau and Bidayuh. On the religious side, they are mainly Christians, Muslims and Buddhists. It is evident that Sarawakians prefer a more tolerant version of Islam and take pride in keeping a harmonious balance among its people. It does not condone acts that would lead to the destruction of their unique social fabric, even going further as to disallow entry of controversial preachers, such as Zakir Naik and Ridhuan Tee. This version of harmony and tolerance is reminiscent of what Malaysia used to be.

Abang Johari, during an episode of podcast Keluar Sekejap with Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan, was candid, pragmatic and informative. He gave viewers some points to consider and was decisive about the country’s STEM education and its future readiness. No present leader in Peninsular Malaysia dares to say, “Do we want village champions or global [heroes]?” He did when talking about the need for English to be the medium of instruction for STEM subjects in Sarawak.

Looking at Sarawak’s primary and secondary education and comparing it to what we have in Peninsular Malaysia, we see the similarities. There are national schools, national-type Chinese schools, religious schools and private international schools. We at Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia take great pride in recognising and applauding Sarawak’s bold move that all schools in Sarawak teach STEM subjects fully in English. A notable mention should also be given to the late premier Tan Sri Adenan Satem, who emphasised the importance of mastering English and Bahasa Melayu concurrently.

What is glaringly obvious in Sarawak is that despite having similar institutions and teaching the same curriculum as its West Malaysian counterpart, there isn’t any racial polarisation, which some parties claim is caused by national-type schools. What then is the cause of polarisation and segmentation in the peninsula, other than politicians and the brand of politics being championed?

The difference is that Sarawak’s leaders take a stand to keep the harmonious racial balance by swiftly dealing with religious bigotry and racial extremists. At the same time, they are keeping track of progress in education to ensure that the people of Sarawak are able to keep up with the efforts to take the state to the next level.

Not that Sarawak doesn’t have its share of fanatics, but the manner in which the person who threw a Molotov cocktail at a KK Mart store in Kuching — during the controversy over the sale of socks with the “Allah” design — was dealt with was instructive. The action was immediately condemned to show that Sarawak despises toxic behaviour that threatens its core values and communal harmony.

What is happening in the UK now, in terms of mob violence and anarchy, is a lesson our Madani government and the whole country needs to pay attention to. Fanatics cannot be given space to grow their influence and instigate hatred. The prescription for that lies in good education.

Sarawak’s leaders nurture good education to build the human capital the state needs. They recognise the UEC certification for entry into Sarawak universities and they are setting up international schools that are government funded. Sarawak is reading the people’s messages well — that national schools are losing their edge and direction.

Malaysian parents who have the choice and means to choose better pathways for their children’s education have made that option, as shown by the proliferation of international schools and rising enrolment of Malays in national-type Chinese schools. Like Sarawak, they have a choice and have chosen their own path for a better future.

Unfortunately, the majority of those who go to national schools do so because they do not have a choice. We can only look towards Sarawak with envy that they can take charge of their education without being shackled by right-wingers who have their own agenda of ensuring a Malay-dominant Malaysia. Being Malaysians, we should give and take and compromise towards building a nation.

Tunku Munawirah Putra is honorary secretary of the Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE Malaysia), an educational lobby group that serves as a channel between concerned parents, the Ministry of Education and other educational stakeholders

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