Adenan can resign, Umno is ubiquitous in Sarawak

By P Ramasamy

Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem said that he would resign from his post if Umno came into Sarawak. Adenan thinks that if a federal political party comes into Sarawak, then politics might move in the direction of peninsular Malaysia, where race and religion would come to dominate the political discourse.

Even if Umno has not entered Sarawak yet, Adenan cannot deny that he has close links with Umno and its leaders. I don’t think he would have been made the chief minister if he did not have this nexus.

Yes, in a formal sense Umno has no physical presence in Sarawak, however, it has a powerful de facto presence.

Sabah and Sarawak are considered the “fixed deposit” states for Umno and BN. Without political support from these two states, Umno and BN would not be able to govern Malaysia even with a simple majority.

In the general elections of 2008 and 2013, these two states were pivotal in enabling pro-BN political parties to win the majority of parliamentary seats.

Umno’s non-presence in Sarawak does not mean anything. It does not have to be there when it already has such a powerful influence on Sarawak politics.

Adenan might engage in empty talk about preserving Sarawak for Sarawakians, but in reality he knows that that this is untenable.

Nothing changes in Sarawak politics without the concurrence of Umno. Since Umno leaders hold key federal ministerial posts, it is only natural they have a major say on federal and state matters in Sarawak.

Sarawak might have more autonomy compared to the 11 states in the Peninsula, but this fact alone cannot negate the powerful influence that is exerted by Umno leaders.

Dwindling state autonomy and the increasing “peninsularisation” of politics in Sarawak are something that right-minded Sarawakians worry about.

I don’t think Adenan can make major decisions on Sarawak without consulting Najib or his deputy. Whether he will remain long in Sarawak politics and whether he will have to go will depend on Umno leaders.

It would take extreme naivety to think that Sarawak is “independent” of Umno’s power and control. Umno is ubiquitous in Sarawak!

The close nexus between the local parties within the BN fold and Umno are the tell tale signs of cooperation and close accommodation.

With state elections fast approaching, Adenan might be engaging in some kind of regionalism to impress the voters that he is the best leader capable to safeguard the integrity and autonomy of Sarawak.

But unfortunately, with Umno around, integrity and autonomy are elusive objectives of Sarawak.

He might be able to fool some sections of the population, but then his dependence on Umno and BN is total.

Umno is “already there” in Sarawak, it does not need a formal presence as in the case of Sabah. This alone is sufficient for Adenan to honour his promise of resigning his post as the chief minister.

P Ramasamy is Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang.

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