SIBU, Mar 2: Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak demands Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to unveil his deal with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin concerning the Malaysian Agreement 1963 and the State Sales Tax while negotiating for Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) support for Muhyiddin.
Its DAP Sarawak deputy chairman David Wong said Sarawakians are in the dark about the deal and they have the rights to know.
He said Abang Johari had used Gabungan Parti Sarawak’ support as a chip to bargain for the return of the rights of Sarawak and State Sales Tax on petroleum and petroleum products while negotiating with Malaya coalitions during the week-long political turmoil.
“I heard that the Chief Minister in order for him to support any coalition, they must give us something in return. I heard that he mentioned about MA63. I heard that he talked about the 5 per pent sales tax from petroleum product. Now the question Sarawakians would like to know is – What are the deals that GPS has struck with Muhyddin’s coalition?,” said Wong in a press conference here today.
“He (Abang Jo) cannot keep it as a private affair as Sarawakians have the rights to know. We (Dap) also have the right to know whether it is MA63 and the petroleum sale tax” he added.
Wong also insisted that GPS could not be a friendly party to the new ruling coalition Perikatan Nasional. GPS to him, is either in or out.
“GPS cannot say we are (GPS) not part of the coalition. By supporting Muhyddin as the prime minister, GPS is part of the coalition no matter what Abang Jo said. There is no such thing in politic. It’s either you are in or you are out,” he added.
Meanwhile, Bukit Assek assembly woman Irene Chang said the State Government is now answerable to the people, on how they can continue protecting Sarawakians from federal national policies which may be formulated through the influence of PAS of which the ideology and policies may not be acceptable to all Sarawakians.
“(Former Chief Minister Pehin Sri) Adenan Satem would have been very disturbed if he had been alive today to witness GPS pitching their support behind a coalition which includes PAS,” said Chang. — DayakDaily
