By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, Dec 15: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) and Sarawak People’s Aspiration Party (Aspirasi)’s call for independence is dangerous as it could cause more harm than anything else, opines Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen.
Based on his analysis of the main opposition parties in Sarawak 12th Election, Chong asserted that PBK and Aspirasi have been hiding the truth and facts on countries that have gone independent but faced civil war and the loss of many lives.
“They are being highly irresponsible for championing such a call. The short video propaganda by these two parties cited a few countries which has successfully gained independence. But they have conveniently left out the part that these countries went through years of civil wars where their economy was ruined and many lives were lost.
“In the case of Kosovo which was widely cited by PBK, when it declared the start of its independence movement, the Serbian military started to suppress. Before the North Atlantic Treaty Organiaation (Nato) stepped in, more than 2,000 civilians died and 400,000 became refugees in 1998-1999,” Chong said at a press conference here today.
He noted that til this day, Kosovo is still relying on Nato to defend it against the threat of invasion by Serbia.
On top of that, Chong said China, Brazil, Indonesia, India and more than half of the countries in the United Nations does not recognise Kosovo as a nation.
“PBK and Aspirasi’s call is also hollow because they fail to address national and international policies on running or administrating Sarawak, nor did they mention defence issues as well.
“I believe many Sarawakians do not want to go through a civil war, risk their lives and that of their children’s. Therefore, I caution voters who support the opposition to seriously think twice about voting for PBK and Aspirasi,” Chong urged.
He also asked voters not to split the votes amongst the Opposition parties. Instead, voters should continue to rally and concentrate their support behind DAP to form a stronger opposition in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) for more effective and stronger check—and—balance. — DayakDaily
