KUCHING, Sept 19: Sarawak Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) stresses that the appointment of an officer in Village Community Management Council (MPKK) is not a “Malaya versus Sarawak” issue.
“The matter simply does not arise as this is a Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government initiative and policy to uplift Sarawak, and Sarawakians in particular.
“This is not a ‘Malaya versus Sarawak’ issue and naughty GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) leaders should not try to spin it as such,” said Sarawak PKR information chief Desmond Kho in a press statement today.
He said the appointment of an officer in MPKK is PH federal government complementing the Sarawak State opposition government in ensuring all eligible Sarawakians enjoy the same benefits other Malaysians in other states are enjoying.
“Surely the GPS opposition government cannot in all sincerity oppose something very good for all Sarawakians, in particular those in the much neglected rural areas of Sarawak? Unless GPS wants to purposefully deny deserving Sarawakians their rights as citizens of Malaysia, which exposes their duplicitous double-speak,” said Kho.
Kho assured Nanta that for PKR to appoint an officer in MPKK should be no cause of concern.
“There is absolutely no doubt that Sarawak’s interest will be fully and robustly protected by Sarawakian leaders in PH when executing the MPKK.
“By invoking the issue of equal partners, YB Alexander (Nanta) is mischievously implying that ‘Malaya’ is trying to impose itself on Sarawak.”
Kho stated that Deputy Minister for Rural Development Sivarasa Rasiah’s intention to implement MPKK was to facilitate the federal government’s initiatives and to better communicate the various federal programmes that are beneficial for the people.
He also clarified that the implementation of MPKK involved only the appointment of an officer and not the appointment of another tuai rumah or ketua kampung to rival the incumbent.
“The appointees will liaise with the Federal Government, particularly in spearheading the objectives of comprehensive transformation to produce a united and progressive community as well as to support Pakatan Harapan Government policies within the Longhouse/Kampung community,” said Kho.
He said it has been well known that after the change of government in Putrajaya, the Sarawak State Secretary, on behalf of the state government, issued a directive insisting that the ketua kaum, not attend, be present or participate in any programme not approved by the state opposition government.
“Conversely, the MPKK will not be subject to such a directive, to boycott or sideline anyone, including events organised by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) opposition government,” Kho stressed. — DayakDaily
