Pulse of Progress in Sabah -- A Conversation with Joanna Sue Henley Rampas of Smart Talks Sabah Show (22 December 2023)

Youth and Politics:

JOANNA: How can young people actively engage in political discussions and decision-making processes?

ARNOLD: It is a coordinated endeavor that need to begin at primary and secondary educational institutions before being extended to universities. Youth should be taught civic responsibility from a young age. There are not any specific courses in the school curriculum that address how to become involved in and make a contribution to politics. Regretfully, there is not enough material available on matters like elections and voting. Students should learn about political leadership at the university and how they may help to develop the nation. Political parties have their fair share of responsibility as well. Sabah is home to several political parties, but what efforts do they make to educate the next generation about politics? Also, political parties should establish "political clubs" to educate young party members on topics such as governance, policymaking, and politics.

JOANNA: What role do social media platforms play in shaping the political opinions of the youth?

ARNOLD: Because young people and social media are "inseparable," social media plays a crucial role. For example, one may notice that they are often holding their phone and are also active on Facebook and TikTok. Nevertheless, according to our research, social media functions solely as a medium for accessing information, be it political or entertainment-related, and not as a platform for active political engagement. This implies that young people are mostly consumers of political ideas rather than creators. It is scary that young people can be exposed to false information because of how quickly fake news spreads. 

JOANNA: In your opinion, what challenges do young politicians face in gaining recognition and influence?

ARNOLD: First of all, they work in an environment where patronage and personality politics are still commonplace. Many voters, particularly those who are older, have close ties to the elites of the past. They owe them a great deal. It is so challenging for them to sever these connections and assist the newcomers, especially the young people who like participating in politics. We also have a strong patronage culture in our politics. People demand something from you in return before they can support you. In this way, political support is often founded on patronage rather than being voluntary, ideas-based, or policy-based. Third, the majority of youth also have little interest in politics. Young politicians may find it challenging to persuade their friends to become involved in politics since many consider it to be the "game of the adults" or the "game of the elites."

Undi18 Malaysia:

JOANNA: How has the lowering of the voting age to 18 in Malaysia impacted youth participation in elections?

ARNOLD: It is probably still too early to talk about what will happen. The 2021 state election in Sarawak and the by-election in Jepak show that people between the ages of 18 and 20 were not as widely involved. Many of them did not go to the polls and vote. As mentioned earlier, our task is to get more young people and people who have never voted before to do so and to vote responsibly. This is the reason why political education is important, and universities, educational institutions, NGOs, and political parties should vigorously promote it. 

JOANNA: What measures can be taken to ensure that young voters are well-informed about political issues?

ARNOLD: As I already said, teach people about politics. The young people need to learn why voting is important and what they can do as voters.

JOANNA: Are there any potential challenges or benefits associated with allowing 18-year-olds to vote?

ARNOLD: I believe that in the long run, the good effects will be much greater than the bad ones. Let us start by getting young people involved in politics. This is the first step toward teaching them how the government works and why their involvement is important. Second, letting people aged 18 to vote increases the number of people who can vote and gives more people a chance to choose our leaders in government. This will give young people a chance to have their thoughts heard by the government when decisions are being made.

Federal Government and Borneo State Relations:

JOANNA: What steps can be taken to strengthen the relationship between the federal government and Sabah/Sarawak?

ARNOLD: We need to adopt a pragmatist, strategic, and accommodative stance. It is clear from Sabah's political history that adopting an aggressive and confrontational strategy did not work in our favour. We may keep standing up for our rights, but we must do it in a way that benefits the nation and the state. We are a federation. The structure is there serving as a framework for how authority and responsibilities should be distributed. We also have the Federation Constitution, which informs the state government and the federal government what they can and cannot do. We should wisely and intelligently bargain, make concessions, and stand out for our rights. 

JOANNA: In what ways can the federal government address the unique needs and concerns of Borneo states?

ARNOLD: I believe that now more people are aware of MA63. The fact that MA63 is now acknowledged as our founding document in the Federal Constitution as a result of the historic constitutional amendment in 2021 is also a positive development. By adhering to and respecting MA63, all stakeholders, including the federal and state governments, actively contribute to the strengthening of Malaysia. Moving forward, any policy that is implemented should be customized to suit the unique requirements of Sabah and Sarawak. I believe that we are currently progressing in the correct way. 

JOANNA: How might a more collaborative approach between the federal and state governments benefit the overall development of Sabah and Sarawak?

ARNOLD: A strategic synergy between the federal and state governments is needed. When both work together, everyone benefits. As I said before, the Federation Constitution and MA63 serve as our guides for running the federation.

Moving Sabah Forward:

JOANNA: What key economic strategies do you believe will contribute to the growth and development of Sabah? In what areas can the government focus to enhance education and healthcare services in Sabah?

ARNOLD: First, it is important that we abolish the "extractive economic" model, which exclusively benefits a select few elites and those in positions of authority. Inclusive economic strategies and institutions that foster broad participation and incentivize talent and innovation are essential. Sabah possesses an abundance of natural resources. Our primary problem is that we do not permit competent individuals to manage them. To put it simply, we lack competent managers who can manage our natural resources. We will persist in descending into the "poorest state" as long as we permit individuals lacking the necessary expertise to take charge of our resources. Additionally, Sabah must foster an environment that encourages young talents to realize their full potential. Our tourism sector is one of our major strong points. However, our tourism industry's sustainability and infrastructural deficiency are the problems. While visitors appreciate our natural treasures, we allow them to do so at the risk of the tourism sector's long-term viability. What steps are we doing to guarantee that future generations can continue to enjoy all of the top tourist destinations? Additionally, we must prioritize the development of human capital that corresponds with industry demands, including artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and so forth. That does not imply that the humanities and the arts are unimportant. However, in order to ensure that our arts and humanities students are not excluded, what measures can we take to enable them to utilize their arts and humanities background in support of Sabah's progress?