|
It is a known fact that Malaysia has aided militants in Thailand and the Southern Phillipines over the last 20 year's or so; alot of arms went through Sabah and the east coast of the state courtesy of Mr.Gaddaffi.
This includes alot of cash BUT I have yet to find any proof of training camps or instructing being organized within Malaysian territorial waters or in the State.
The one thing the Malaysian government has been good at over the last 10 or 15 years is to stop known trouble-makers and "terrorist" who had made the the trip to Pakistan for "jihad" training by arresting them under the Internal Security Act (a person may be held for up to 2 year's without trail) as Singapore has done from time to time.
This has been successful in putting right a number of politicians who had in the past created or brought up controversial "race issues" including the former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohd and his protege Anwar Ibrahim (both had a falling out with the former accussing the latter of homosexual activities and corruption in a bitter power struggle in the late 90's.)
As compared to West Malaysia, Sabah remain's an enigma; vast ocean, huge numbers of islands and a limited number of air and sea assets to patrol and protect the coast line and border.
Sabahan's are far more loyal to Malaysia than to the Philippines and most Sabahan's are generally insulted if they are called "pilak" (meaning blackie/darkie or a south filipino who is of suluk or bajau origin).
Sabahan's are fiercly proud of their heritage and if there was a minority that had the opinion that sabah should be returned to filipino rule, that number SURELY is does not even surpass 1%.
Sabah and Sarawak, comprise of a greater number of non-muslims than their counterparts in West Malaysia; baptist, roman catholic, seven day adventist and other secular groups are found throughout the state.
It is very common for one village to be divided by a river; on one side of the river, the population are roman catholic and the same village on the opposite side of the river is perhaps 7th dav adventist. This is common.
Malaysia is fiercly political with UMNO being the political giant in power and a smaller opposition front that is sorely lacking in funding and the malay majority to carry their fight in parliment and in their consistuencies.
UMNO however, has been rocked over the last 5 year's with power struggles, corruption charges and accusations, stormy personal agenda's and an apparent split within the party on the future of the "muslim/malay agenda" to ensure a higher standing and education and future for the malay's who are behind the chinese in wealth in business and industry.
This is the one major issue that continues to dog the peace Malaysia has and the outstanding melting pot of races that continue to perserve one of the most unique nations in Asia and one of the most stable countries in the world, given the size of Malaysia in terms of land and its economy.
Malaysia, is a peaceful nation that is proud and constantly evolving and I am of the opinion, Malaysian's realize it is impossible to ever allow a conflict to errupt with their neighbour's Singapore and Indonesia.
Any fued spoken of between Brunei and Malaysia is false; they have outstanding issues and border matters to resolve but their ties remain strong and Malaysia, ever ready to assist Brunei should any foreign or domestic force be a threat to the Brunei Sultanate and empire.
hoot
|