It has long been apparent that some in Sarawak and Sabah are in favour of abandoning their special status under the Malaysia Agreement of 1963. Now it appears that there are also those who favour a merger of Sarawak and Sabah into a singe State in the Federation of Malaysia. The initiative appears to stem from Sabah with Sarawak’s GPS (formerly BN) strongly against.

So far there has been no open comment from Putrajaya either in favour of or against this suggestion, though the fact that PH found it possible to accept the support of notorious crook and current Sarawak Governor Taib Mahmud and his cronies may show which way the wind is blowing.

Political alliances, and the connected decisions, are always a matter for the government in power though getting them wrong may lead to a loss of that power at a subsequent election. There is a proverb that runs thus. “You are known by the company you keep” This is as true in politics as it is in everyday life as is its counterpart proverb. “You cannot have your cake and eat it”

Before any decisions are taken about possible Constitutional reform careful thought should be given to public opinion in the two Borneo States. This merger proposal was not even mentioned during last year’s election campaign and before it could receive even outline consideration it would be proper to test it by public consultation, rather than leaving any decisions to local political leaders.