Luqman's musings

  In Sabah, the push for full implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is often framed as a noble struggle for greater autonomy — the right to manage our own affairs, land, immigration, resources, and a fairer share of revenue. Proponents argue we were promised special safeguards when Malaysia was formed, and much of that has been diluted over the decades. But here’s a question many ordinary Sabahans are asking: What is the point of struggling for more autonomy when we struggle with basic service delivery under the autonomy we already have?

   Does Anyone Actually Read Your Email on Procedural Fairness? In April 2026 I wrote to the Malaysian Bar Council Secretariat. I was not asking them to handle my case. I was not asking for legal advice on my specific facts. I simply wanted their expert opinion on two universal principles:

  A Sabahans’ Perspective on Autonomy, Accountability and Access to Justice In my previous post, I wrote about how ordinary Sabahans — especially those in the B40 group — often find it too costly and discouraging to file complaints against lawyers under our local system. Many readers asked: “If the system feels stacked against ordinary people, why not just extend the Legal Profession Act 1976 (LPA) from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah so we have one uniform set of rules?” It’s a fair and important question. Let me explain what I’ve learned.

  In my last post on April 2, I shared how ordinary Sabahans — especially those in the B40 group like myself who rely on RM100 monthly SARA aid — are effectively priced out of complaining about professional misconduct by lawyers. The RM100 processing fee, printing costs, and the feeling that the system is stacked against us make it almost impossible to seek justice.