KUCHING, April 13: Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) New Deal Agreement is just another another desperate political attempt by the opposition to deceive Sarawakians, said Assistant Minister of Corporate Affairs Abdullah Saidol.
In a statement this afternoon, he said there was nothing new about the New Deal Agreement as most of the items offered in it have already been stipulated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Federal Constitution.
“There are two learned lawyers in Sarawak PH leadership, they should know better that the general rule of a binding agreement is that Locus Standi of parties or signatories to an agreement must be valid and certain.
“Barisan Nasional (BN) is a legally registered entity whereas PH is not. Ironically PH leadership till now is still struggling to understand their own identity and political direction,” added Abdullah.
He said Sarawak BN under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has been pursuing the state’s eroded rights within the constitution and the law. He pointed out that within a short period after taking over as Chief Minister, Abang Johari and the state government had achieved numerous economic gains through the outcome of its negotiations with the federal government.
“Why the need to execute such a sham agreement which is obviously a political trick?
Even if PH took over the federal government, they should act fair and fulfil their promises as per their Manifesto but unfortunately the records proven in Penang and Selangor shows that they failed to do so.
“Are they implying that if they take over as the federal government, they will not make any effort to help us in Sarawak?
“The current federal government lead by BN does not require such an agreement or offer such a deal when assisting Penang or Selangor with huge development funding. The federal government lead by BN immediately acted and assisted with huge funding when Penang was hit with the worst flood in its history,” said Abdullah.
Another example he cited was that the BN-led federal government also continued to channel huge funds for the purpose of building affordable housing and other infrastructure in Penang and Selangor.
Abdullah said PH Sarawak leadership should stop bluffing the people of Sarawak and stop behaving like their ‘wicked political master’ in West Malaysia.
He said Sarawakians despised and rejected the ‘unscrupulous and deceitful’ political culture adopted by PH Sarawak.
“Last but not least, the offer from PH Sarawak is unbelievable and has no credibility because basically there are no Sarawakians in the PH’s ‘Shadow Federal Cabinet’ should they take over as federal government.
“I don’t think Sarawakians will take the risk of putting our future fate in the hands of Sarawak PH leadership,” said Abdullah. — DayakDaily
