By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, March 10: The Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak has declared its readiness to work with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) in fighting for the State’s oil and gas rights, as long as they back the proposal for Sarawak representatives to hold at least a 30 per cent stake in Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas).
“If SUPP and GPS are willing to fight for the 30 per cent stake in Petronas, DAP is willing to work with them in whatever way possible. We will fight for Sarawak’s rights together alongside GPS,” said Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (DAPSY) Sarawak Political Education Bureau director Soo Tien Ren during a press conference at the DAP Sarawak headquarters here today.
The statement follows a proposal raised in the Dewan Rakyat by DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen, who urged the federal government to grant a 30 per cent stake in Petronas to the State government and to allocate 30 per cent of the board positions to Sarawakians.
Meanwhile, DAPSY Sarawak secretary George Lam said, “Raising issues such as the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974 and other related matters does not benefit DAP Sarawak specifically, but rather Sarawakians as a whole.
“We would like to urge GPS, especially SUPP, to come together with us—we are open to working together if possible.”
Lam further called for unity among all Sarawak MPs to work with the federal government in reclaiming the State’s rights.
“If all Sarawak MPs and the Sarawak government work hand in hand with the federal government of Malaysia, we believe things can move forward smoothly, instead of engaging in blame games,” he said. — DayakDaily
