KUCHING, May 16: One week after Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) victory at the polls, a Sarawak PH leader is calling on the authorities to leave no stone unturned to investigate “well documented and known worldwide” corruption in Sarawak.
In a statement today, state Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) chairman Baru Bian urged authorities to walk the talk on the eradication of corruption and prosecution of Sarawakian political figures involved, regardless of rank and position.
“Corruption must be eradicated, and it must be eradicated across the board, not only in relation to 1MBD. Corruption has been rampant all over Malaysia, and Sarawak has not been spared,” said Baru.
Referring to Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, the former chief minister for over 30 years, the newly elected Selangau MP said Sarawakians want to know what had happened to the investigations against Taib by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in which at least 10 investigation papers were opened.
Baru also called for full investigations on other Sarawakian political figures who are alleged to be involved in corruption.
Also, Baru is confident that the new government will be different and that Sarawak will be able to take its rightful place as a partner in the Federation of Malaysia, and to play a significant role in the rebuilding of the nation.
“For 54 years, we had been sidelined and treated like poor cousins by the BN government, resulting in our current status as one of the poorest and least developed states.
“As the PM gets down to the serious business of government, we have been assured that Sarawak will be given the opportunity to participate fully in the running of the country, as envisaged by our forefathers when the Malaysia Agreement was signed in 1963,” said the prominent lawyer who is also Ba’Kelalan state assemblyman.
Thankful for the release of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today, Baru added that it was gratifying to hear Anwar magnanimously say that he holds no grudges against current Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, and that his vision is firmly focused on the future.
“If this man, who has endured years of imprisonment and suffering, can forgive the wrongs done to him, the people of Malaysia can emulate his generosity of spirit.
“Those who have done wrong must be held accountable for their crimes, but we as the people of this country must move along with the new government towards healing and reconciliation with one another,” he said. — DayakDaily
