Malaysia’s poorest state prepares a poll shock for the prime minister

A gentle breeze stirs the wooden houses of Sarang, a sleepy fishing village on Sabah’s northern coast, its tranquillity seemingly at odds with the mounting troubles facing the resource-rich yet persistently impoverished Malaysian state.

For years, Sabahans have endured water shortages, power cuts and some of the lowest wages in the country.

Each time the taps run dry or the lights flicker out, local fisherman Johan Toikin is reminded of the central government’s failure to fulfil the commitments it made under a founding document signed more than 60 years ago.

“There is no need for any more discussion,” Johan This Week in Asia. “This is Sabah’s right.”

Under the Malaysia Agreement of 1963, Sabah ceded 60 per cent of its annual revenue to the federal government in exchange for autonomy over its borders, religion, culture and development.

In doing so, it and neighbouring Sarawak joined with Malaya and Singapore – the latter of which exited the federation after less than two years – to form Malaysia as supposedly equal partners.

Many Sabahans, however, argue that Kuala Lumpur has taken the money but never fully honoured the autonomy.