Is the Federal Government Acting Like a ‘Godfather’?

By: Khoo Kay Peng

Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah says the federal government is behaving like a “Godfather” in refusing to pay oil royalties to Kelantan.

It is odd for the federal government to take up advertisements in newspapers to justify its compassionate payments to the state. Tengku is right to point out that the federal government receives its power from the 13 states. Without a federation of 13 states, there is no federal government.

Tengku Razaleigh said the Federation of Malaya Agreement was signed in 1948 while Malaysia was formed in 1963, and a review was overdue.

“The Federal Government is behaving like a Godfather even though their power comes from the 13 states,” he said in likening Putrajaya’s heavy-handedness to that of the head of a criminal organization.

Tengku Razaleigh said he was moving to establish a bi-partisan Federation Caucus in Parliament to examine ‘unhappy’ federal-state relations, including the dispute over oil royalties.

Tengku's effort should be supported by all parties who want to see a better and more equitable and just governance in this country. It is time for a review of unfair and imbalance state-federal relations. There is a need of decentralisation of power from the federal government to the state governments. Each state should be given more power and jurisdiction to plan for its own socio-economic development unlike now.

It is obvious that Kelantan and previously Trengganu were treated like beggars. Such treatment is totally against the spirit of federalism.

Muhyiddin Yassin has questioned Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s loyalty to Umno and accused the Kelantan prince of trying to confuse the public over the oil royalty dispute.

Sadly, Muhyiddin is the one who needs a lesson on loyalty. Tengku is patriotic and not blindly loyal to a political power which abuses the federal constitution and the spirit of federalism.

It is time for the government to walk its talk on "1Malaysia: People's first, Performance now" pledge.

Muhyiddin's statement appears to put political loyalty above people.

The federal government should focus on facilitating state governments to develop and to grow their economy. Not trying to frustrate them by putting the regime political interest above the people.