KUCHING, Jan 18: The federal government has been urged to give back Sarawak’s rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) without further delay.
Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said the state government has had enough of the excuses and wanted the PH government to solve the issue immediately.
“Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is serious about getting back our rights in accordance with the Constitution. We are tired of just seeing and waiting, so don’t make our life difficult,” he said at the GPS Flag Rally programme at RPR Batu Kawa multipurpose hall here last night.
Dr Sim, who is also the Minister of Local Government and Housing, highlighted that Sarawakians also pay taxes and the money goes to the federal government, but they do not result in better infrastructure, development and service delivery in Sarawak.
“They took our taxes, but they don’t give back to improve the state’s infrastructure, like maintaining roads, trim grasses and (repair) schools, especially those in the rural areas. The Women and Children Clinic in Batu Kawa is so run down.
“If the federal government does not want to help, then they should give us the autonomy in education and healthcare to handle and manage by ourselves. Also, the oil and gas fully belong to Sarawak, so give that back, too,” he said.
Meanwhile, Petra Jaya MP Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the objective of the rally was not only to introduce GPS’ new hornbill logo but to emphasise on the united coalition to protect Sarawak’s eroded rights.
“GPS must put our heart and soul into fighting for Sarawak’s rights as only then we will get the respect and support from the people.
“There is no time to waste, and we really have to start working hard now. This is our commitment together as a team and with one spirit,” he stressed.
Fadillah also shared that after this rally ended and followed by GPS official launch tomorrow, the team would keep going with their efforts, including to the rural areas, to ensure people are with them in their struggle to fight for Sarawak’s rights.
Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Assistant Minister of Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, Samarahan MP Rubiah Wang, Batang Lupar MP Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim and Demak Laut assemblyman Dr Hazland Abang Hipni were present.
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth chief Gerald Rentap Jabu is leading the GPS Flag Rally on a nine-day road trip to introduce GPS’ hornbill logo and song across the state. Batu Kawa is the 19th stop on day seven of their journey yesterday.
Today, the convoy is heading to Sadong Jaya and Kota Samarahan.
The entire event will wrap up with the official launching of GPS by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg tomorrow (Jan 19) at Stadium Perpaduan in Petra Jaya here. — DayakDaily
