Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Borneo Today
Politics & Economics
Nothing rankles with Borneans more than cor-
rupt politicians who line their pockets at the ex-
pense of the public purse, the island's dwindling
rainforests, and indigenous land rights. On the
internet you can find bloggers' accounts of
back-room deals, especially with logging com-
panies and palm-oil conglomerates, in all parts
of the island.
Sabahans are well aware that while their state
was Malaysia's second-richest in the 1970s, it is
now the country's poorest. A major reason, they
claim, is that all but 5% of Sabah's (and Sarawak's) oil revenue flows into federal coffers.
Residents of both states are wise to the wonders that petrol dollars have done for neigh-
bouring Brunei.
Sentiment on these issues is likely to bolster support for candidates running against the
Barisan Nasional, in power since independence and at the time of writing. According to
polls in the lead-up to Malaysia's 13th general election (in the first half of 2013), younger
For progovernment news, read Sarawak's daily
newspapers. For opposition opinion, check out the
following:
