KUCHING, Sept 4: Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii urges the Sarawak government not to position the people of Sarawak in a “bubble” and keep their heads buried in the sand for protection from the religious extremists in Peninsular Malaysia.
He said that empowerment and support for United Malays National Organisation (Umno) and Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (Pas) to be in the federal government is already in a direct way allowing the influence of extreme ideologists into Sarawak.
“So, it is useless to say that ‘extreme Umno’ is not welcomed in Sarawak. Yet, they (state government) are working with them (Umno and Pas) and supporting the federal government.
“That is why the different local leaders calling for the banning of Pas leaders and bigots from entering the state have missed the point completely.
“It doesn’t matter if they can or cannot enter the state. Their ideology and viewpoint are openly accessible to everyone including those in Sarawak through the media or even the Internet,” he asserted in a statement today.
Therefore, he reiterated that not even the South China Sea between East and West Malaysia or the immigration autonomy could shield Sarawak in a “bubble” to protect the people from their extreme words and actions.
Yii said this included the recent statement by Pasir Puteh MP Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh deemed to have insulted the Christian community, who has refused to apologise even after numerous responses from both Sarawak and Sabah.
As such, he urged the Sarawak government and the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leaders to address the real issue which is the support they are giving to the leaders in the federal government.
“And together with Umno and now Bersatu, they are the biggest bloc, influencing all out national policies including education healthcare, economy and so on that affects us all including our children.
“So, rather than calling them to be banned from the state, GPS leaders should instead address the ‘elephant in the room’ and ask themselves why they are in the place of power in the first place,” he said.
In stating this, he further urged the state leaders to stand up for the rights of Sarawak people and condemn any statement that challenges these rights which have been enshrined in the Federal Constitution and the Malaysian Agreement 1963 (MA63). —DayakDaily
