Datuk Dr Johan Arriffin using the pen name Joe Samad, who has been an opinion writer for many news portals, has come out with a book entitled ‘Unequal Partners, race religion, domination and inequality in East Malaysia”. This book is a compilation of his writings and is divided in three sections – the politics of Malay hegemony, race religion and corruption, the landscape of Sabah politics and Peninsular dominance, and the broken promises of Malaysia Agreement 1963.

Joe Samad discusses how Malaysia was formed on 16 September 1963 through an agreement  (MA63) signed between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak. Till today, the Borneo state is not satisfied with the specific performance of the central government with regards to the agreement and felt that  Sabah and Sarawak is being left out of the national development agenda. Race and religion is dominant in Peninsular Malaysian politics and the ‘ketunan Melayu’ concept is the anti-thesis of the peaceful and harmonious people of East Malaysia. It is also disruptive.

This year is Malaysia 60 years of its founding, a significant milestone in the birth of our nation, Malaysia. However, Sabah one of the biggest oil producing state, has the highest poverty rate in Malaysia while Peninsular Malaysia has prospered.

Joe Samad discusses these issues in his book in a frank and forthright manner and is not afraid to criticise the establishments for playing up identity politics and religious sentiments to sustain their corrupts ways. Borneo state is beginning to exert its political power and is demanding what has been denied over the last 60 years. For those, who don’t understand East Malaysia, its good time to pick up and read the book as it is a wake-up call to Malaysians that the country is heading in the wrong directions and to look towards the East in the Borneo states for an example of harmonious Malaysia.

The book will be launched in Gerak Budaya Hall on July 22^nd, with a panel of esteemed panelist from Sabah and Sarawak and the event is open to the public. The author will be present to sign any book purchased at the launch.