By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, Nov 20: The current relationship between the Sarawak and federal government is akin to a married couple that had gone through a divorce.
Despite the ‘marital breakup’, both governments have the responsibility to ensure the well being of their ‘children’ (people), said Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
The ‘divorce’ analogy was in reference to the current scenario between the state government and Putrajaya following Pakatan Harapan’s win in the 14th general election in May, 2018.
The state ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) members, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), were part of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government prior to GE14.
“After GE14, the political landscape has changed drastically and Sarawak, under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, made a bold decision to part ways and established a Sarawak-based political coalition, the GPS.
“Like many other ‘married couples’, we would like the ‘marriage’ to be lasting but as it did not go well as we wanted, divorce is the last resort,” she said in her key address at the GPS members empowerment programme for Mulu constituency here today.
About 200 delegates, mainly from Mulu and Baram, attended the event organised by Wanita PBB.
Assistant Minister of Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali and Mulu Assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala were present.
Fatimah reminded the Pakatan-led federal government not to forget their responsibilities to the whole country, especially Sarawak and the well being of its people.
“Like many ‘marital breakups’, both spouses have equal responsibility towards their children and should not neglect their well being. Even though we have parted ways with the federal government, they still have to grant Sarawak allocations,” she opined.
On other matters, Fatimah cautioned grassroots on the federal Pakatan government setting up the Federal Village Community Management Council (MPKKP) in Sarawak, claiming that it could be used to divide unity among the people.
“They want to conquer and weaken us (Sarawak) by establishing the MPKKP,” she alleged.
Fatimah lauded efforts in organising the event, describing it as a good platform to enlighten GPS grassroots lon issues regarding the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 (OMO58), native customary rights (NCR) land matters and various development projects implemented by the Sarawak government.
On the coming state election due in 2021, she called on GPS members to strive hard and ensure victory to all component members.
“We must ensure our parties win in the coming state election ,we cannot effort to lose, we must win. Do not let outsiders conquer Sarawak,” she said. — DayakDaily
