KUCHING, May 12: Assistant Minister of Corporate Affairs Abdullah Saidol denied rumours that Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) intended to join Pakatan Harapan (PH) for political survival.
In a statement today, Abdullah said the statement by Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak chairman Baru Bian last night was outright hogwash and knee-jerk reactions to an ill-founded rumour.
“If Chong wishes to unilaterally catch thieves and corrupt politicians, perhaps Chong should also investigate those leaders in their own den too. Don’t be hypocrites and have double standards.
“Referring to corruption and misdeeds as mentioned by Chong, maybe he was talking about their own new Prime Minister whom DAP and PKR had fought and demonised vigorously during the tenure of that leader as Prime Minister for 22 years,” Abdullah lashed out.
He claimed that it was DAP and PKR who were the one whitewashing the corrupt leaders currently collaborating with them in PH while pointing out the irony of Chong highlighting DAP’s long historic struggle along the lines of integrity and suggestion that those who wished to hop over to PH must be vetted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“Another ironic fact is that all PH’s candidates were never referred to and vetted by MACC before being nominated.
“PBB is part of a legitimate Sarawak BN (Barisan Nasional) coalition which is currently the elected government of Sarawak. Just in case they forgot, Sarawak is a party to an agreement that conceived this country called Malaysia.
“What should also be acknowledged is that Sarawak BN component parties are all locally based and was founded by our very own capable Sarawakian leaders from various local ethnicities,” said Abdullah.
He said PBB and other state BN component parties had genuinely experienced the state’s political history and had gone through the evolution of modern Sarawak unlike political parties in Sarawak PH who he claimed were being remotely controlled by their leaders from West Malaysia.
Abdullah stressed that PBB would maintain its political integrity and would not act like ‘frogs’.
“We are not desperate because we know where our political strength lies. We Sarawakians are always proud of ourselves and will stay united in diversity. We appreciate the democratic principle of mutually agreeing to disagree.
“We respect the people’s verdict with an open heart and pledge to work even harder for the interest all Sarawakians.
“Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had said it clearly that the government of Sarawak is prepared, within the ambit of a federal system to administratively cooperate with the elected PH federal government.
“We will ensure such cooperation will not be detrimental or diminish Sarawak’s interest and must be in accordance with the Federal Constitution,” Abdullah added.
He also said that the Sarawak government would also closely monitor the progress of PH’s effort to fulfill their manifesto and promises particularly those related to Sarawak’s interest.
“The Sarawak government lead by Abang Johari will not abandon nor ease our solid desire to pursue the devolution of powers from the federal government, and to regain back all legitimate rights of Sarawak either those enshrined under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) or as stipulated under the Federal Constitution.
“We will consider all available options to ensure our demand will earn the desired attention, respect and result.
“All this political enthusiasm of the Sarawak government are nothing else but for the interest and future of all Sarawakians.
“May God bless and save this country,” Abdullah said. — DayakDaily
