KUCHING, Sept 29: Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) political bureau chief Ukar Kelayang reprimanded Bintulu Port Authority chairman Dr Anthony John Brian for accusing the state government of undermining the interests of Sarawak Bumiputera.
According to Ukar in a statement, instead of accusing the state government, Pakatan Harapan (PH) should look at itself in the mirror and its federal government should focus on making efforts to improve and upgrade the native courts to be on par with the civil and syariah courts.
He asserted John Brian’s recent allegations in a Facebook post will do much to create disputes and split the unity and harmony of Sarawak’s native communities.
He also took the state Democratic Action Party (DAP) executive committee member to task for accusing the Sarawak government of undermining the interests of the state’s Bumiputera communities over the past 56 years.
Ukar emphasised these claims were unfounded and completely overlooked the steady development brought by the state government which has never ceased efforts to help native communities with land issues, no matter how complicated, and that the state government has made gradual and steady progress throughout the years.
“Can the PH government claim to be making efforts to improve and upgrade the native courts to be on par with the civil and syariah courts? The GPS is improving these legal mechanisms to even better safeguard the interests and rights of the native communities,” Ukar asserted.
He also claimed that when members of the native community sought help from PH lawmakers to settle land disputes, they were charged heavy lawyers’ fees, and their circumstances exploited to create political mileage.
“John Brian, my advice to you is to stop posting pointless and meaningless content on Facebook. Do more constructive projects to help our native communities to improve their quality of life. Surely your vaunted PH-led federal government possesses the resources and is up to the job of developing the indigenous communities?” questioned Ukar. — DayakDaily
