KUCHING, Dec 3: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian has likened the entry of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) into the state to Umno entering Sabah.
He believed that the reason for Bersatu to enter Sarawak is to control Sarawak and to use Sarawak to strengthen their position within the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.
“The entry of Bersatu into Sarawak is not only the equivalent of Umno’s entry into Sabah 25 years ago but also an attempt to complete the dominance of Malaya politics in Sarawak,
“The real reason for Bersatu coming to Sarawak is to try to use their federal powers to control Sarawak and to recruit more ‘soldiers’ so that Bersatu can become the dominant party once again in the PH government.
“Don’t let the Sabah-Umno history be recreated in Sarawak via Bersatu. Make it Sarawak First, always and foremost,” said Dr Sim in a statement today.
He reiterated that Sarawak is not a colony of the Federation of Malaysia whether in the past, present or future.
“Let us wholeheartedly stand together in unison to defend and protect Sarawak for the sake of our future and that of our children and children’s children,” said Dr Sim.
Citing the examples of Budget 2019, Dr Sim warned Sarawakians this was how they were most likely to be treated should Sarawakians allow West Malaysian politicians to dominate Sarawak.
“Instead of enjoying the national wealth as an equal partner in the Federation of Malaysia, Sarawak was allocated a mere 7.94 per cent of the total development budget in the Federal Budget for 2019 in the first year of Tun (Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad)’s administration.
“A third national car project has now taken priority over Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) promise of 20 per cent oil royalty. So too (the fate of) the promise of returning of 50 per cent tax revenue collected from Sarawak for the Sarawak people.
“Adding further insult is the Petronas one-off additional RM30 billion special dividend to the federal government.
“All the above are concerning the fate and wealth of Sarawakians, but these promises are being denied by the new federal government,” said Dr Sim.
He said there used to be local Sarawak banks and finance companies but these financial houses were gone because of rationalisation and forced mergers involving smaller banks in the 1980s.
“Now, only banks from Malaya are operating here, taking our business away. Loan approvals are also controlled by these banks’ headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
“We are left with almost nothing. Remember, Sarawak is not a colony but an equal partner in Malaysia but the reality shows otherwise. All things are controlled by Putrajaya,” said Dr Sim.
He said Bersatu has a lot to answer for once they set up their branches in Sarawak, before cautioning Sarawakians to be careful with honey-coated words.
“Bersatu surely has a lot to answer to Sarawak people when they set their foot in Sarawak.
“I would like to remind my fellow Sarawakians that when someone is telling you that he loves you and cares about you, don’t just take his words (at face value), look at his actions and you can see how far his sincerity goes,” said Dr Sim.
Dr Sim was responding to the launch of Sarawak Bersatu which took place in Bintulu on Saturday (Dec 1, 2018). — DayakDaily
