Whilst it is true the term “Perakian” does not generate the same kind of controversy and emotions as does “Sabahan” today, we need to be clear just who this “Sabahan” is.

You’re right on the shift but not on the timing. This shift in demographics is not a recent phenomenon. Bear in mind that most of south west United States not too long ago belonged to Mexico. Some say with illegal immigration, the Mexicans are trying to re-claim what was once theirs! In fact Hispanic talk show hosts over the radio often refer to it as such – mostly in a lighter vein, of course. I don’t know if you have heard of ‘anchor babies’ a term used within the context of the discussion on illegal immigration. You have say a pregnant Mexican woman walking across the southern border and later giving birth to a son. That son is a U.S. citizen – following the principle of jus soli. And so the process continues. Coupled with the fact that the birth rate among Hispanics and Latinos is higher than that among non-Hispanic whites, in the year 2050, non-White Hispanic population of the United States will exceed that of the non-Hispanic White population. Some refer to this as the “browning of America”!

President Sukarno of Indonesia during the Malaysia-Indonesian conflict in the early 60s accused Malaysia of being a neo-colonialist plot – and claimed Sarawak and Sabah as part of Indonesian territories, a claim not too dissimilar to the ‘claim’ by Mexicans say to California today (minus the ‘neo-colonialist plot’ slant of course). There are elements of truth to that claim. Wouldn’t you say?

The Chinese in Sabah are relatively recent migrants to this part of the Indonesian Archipelago. Indonesian Chinese in neighboring Sulawesi are part of that same wave of migration.. The intermarrying between the Chinese and the natives in Southern Sulawesi has given rise to a new ‘race’ the Bugis who are seafarers or pirates who came to settle in Pahang and Johor.

Today what we are seeing are waves of economic migrants - from Indonesian Kalimantan, encouraged by the Malay leadership in Kuala Lumpur as an hoc solution to its political problem and in an attempt to break the political impasse if you will - coming across to Sabah, much like what we are seeing in the south west of United States except that in the case of the United States, this is being resisted by its government.

Today’s solution will be tomorrow’s problem.

Bumburing was responded to the statement by Kimanis MP Anifah Aman that Sabah MPs were against the proposal to set up the RCI on Illegal Immigrants that was moved by Lim on Friday. “We, in UPKO believe the Royal Commission of Inquiry is the best way to takle the problem of iilegal immigrants in Sabah.” he said.

Bumburing said he was equally surprised to learn through the media that Anifah is the new Sabah MP Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) Chairman.

It clearly showed that UMNO and his dog PBS is the only party that against the move to seeting up the RCI on Illegal Immigrants in Sabah.

The observation that I noted was the usage of Spanish signs and even PA announcements in many large malls and stores. This was only recently introduced I believe. Does this mean that the Latins have moved from being illegals to the mainstream and middleclass ? The migrants were always there but this shift got me thinking if there is a slow but significant shift in demographics and social status of the Latinos ?

And yes, I agree about the racism. This has recently risen especially with the outsourcing of jobs to Asia. Many years ago people were friendlier but now folks can be downright hostile. I found it to be worse in smaller towns.

Case close no threat here,……hehahe
Motion pass, next please….

I am still waiting for you to apologise to YB Lim Kit Siang.

(you who claim to know more).
(you who claim to be able to hasten and smoothen the departure of notproudtobemalaysian.)