Exploring the East-West Malaysia Divide

As we celebrate the formation of Malaysia on September 16th, critics have argued that the divide between Sabah and Sarawak is more than just geographical. For the Current Affairs' Malaysia Day Special, Dr Arnold Puyok, a political analyst with University Teknologi MARA Sabah, discusses: - The disconnect between Sabahans & Sarawakians with Peninsular Malaysia - The strong regional indentity East Malaysians have, as opposed to a national identity - How ethnic and religious harmony is more evident in Sabah & Sarawak than in West Malaysia. Interracial marriages have made the culture in East Malaysia is very fluid. Also religion is considered "a family matter" - Why 16th September should be consider equally important, if not more, than 31st August. Simply making it a public holiday is not enough - The 20-point and 18-point agreement between these two states and the federal government, made prior to the formation of Malaysia in 1963, and if these argreements are being honoured and if it is still relevant today - The root causes of the extreme poverty rates in Sabah - If he thinks Sabah & Sarawak is under-represented in Parliament - And what can be done to close the socio-economic gap between the peninsula and East Malaysia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.