By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, March 1: Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak opines that the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) and Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (Pas) coalition which is part of the new federal government will not benefit the nation and Sarawak.
According to DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen in a statement, with the coalition in power, Sarawak will have to follow national policies and federal laws which might be drafted from input derived from those two parties.
“We foresee that the Umno-Pas coalition is not in the best interest of the nation and will also not work to the benefit of Sarawak.
“For decades, Pas has tried all ways to be part of the federal government but to no avail.
“Finally, it is with Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) blessing and support that puts PAS in the federal government, empowering PAS to impart its ideology and policies in our national policies and federal laws.
“As part of the Federation of Malaysia, Sarawak will not be spared these national policies and federal laws,” Chong highlighted.
At the same time, Chong who is Stampin MP outlined that DAP Sarawak offered to collaborate with GPS by making concession to GPS including not contesting in certain seats in the coming state election.
He believed GPS MPs will now enjoy the comfort of being government backbenchers as Tan Sri Muyhiddin Yassin has been sworn in as the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
However, Chong who is also Kota Sentosa assemblyman pointed out that GPS assemblymen and women will find it difficult to face the people of Sarawak, especially given that the State Elections is just around the corner.
“I believe most Sarawakians felt a sense of shock and betrayal about the decision of GPS to support Pas and Umno as the federal government.
In the 14th general elections (GE14), Sarawakians rejected Umno, yet, it is GPS now who brought Umno back to power, Chong asserted.
“That is surely not the way to defend Sarawak’s rights,” he added.
Chong described GPS’ latest statement that the party is not in the Umno-Pas coalition but friendly to it as a lame excuse.
He opined that it is just a hopeless attempt by GPS to try to disassociate itself from Pas and Umno. — DayakDaily
