Our 40% For a Loaf of Gardenia Bread

 

Friday, 14 November 2025

We welcome the apology from Kedah Exco Mansor Zakaria.(News here)

In the spirit of nation-building and harmony among Malaysians, we accept it. Sabahans have never been a people of grudges — we forgive, but we do not forget the lessons behind such incidents.

Because this issue is bigger than one statement.

It reflects a long-standing problem:

far too many leaders in West Malaysia have very limited understanding of Sabah, Sarawak, and our people.

The now-infamous Gardenia bread reference perfectly sums up the attitude often shown toward Sabah’s constitutional and economic rights — especially our long-overdue 40% entitlement.

1. They think giving crumbs is enough.

When Sabah demands what is rightfully ours, they respond with token gestures, small allocations, or political “gula-gula”, as if we should be grateful.

As if we do not understand the true value of what belongs to us.

2. They treat us like a distant outpost.

As if Sabahans are people who can be easily appeased with cheap trinkets.

As if we should accept whatever is thrown our way and smile.

This mindset is precisely what some leaders from Sabah — who align themselves closely with Malaya — appear willing to enable.

3. And this brings us to Tambunan.

This is exactly the kind of outcome that Dato Victor Paut of Tambunan seems comfortable pushing for — a Sabah that quietly accepts whatever crumbs are handed down from Malaya.

A Sabah that should be happy with Gardenia bread,

ditambah pula dengan secawan Milo basi,

while our actual rights and revenue are kept elsewhere.

If that is the “vision” he wants for Sabah and Tambunan, then let it be stated clearly:

It is not the vision of the Sabah people.

4. This is why Sabah must be governed by Sabah-based parties.

Only leaders who genuinely understand this land — its history, its pain, its unrealised potential — can safeguard Sabah’s future.

We cannot rely on policymakers in Putrajaya who do not know our struggles.

And we cannot rely on Sabahan politicians who serve masters outside Sabah.

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We accept the apology.

But we must also recognise what it reveals:

• how Sabah is perceived,

• how our rights are undervalued, and

• how easily some expect Sabahans to be satisfied with crumbs.

For Sabah to rise, Sabah must decide for itself.

Not through Gardenia and Milo.

Not through gestures.

But through justice, rights, and dignity.