By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Aug 24: Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman urges Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh to stop playing politics by condemning Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) for the latter’s reluctance to support Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal to become the ninth prime minister of Malaysia.
Fazzrudin in a press statement today said Wong sounded like a broken record by revisiting the issue of nominating an East Malaysian to become the prime minister.
He outlined that playing politics amid this turbulent time of a pandemic attack in the nation’s history was tantamount to disrespecting the decree by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah who had requested politicians not be burdened the people with endless political squabbles at a time when the country is struggling with the current health and economic issues.
He noted His Majesty had made a decision to confirm Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as Prime Minister and the decision has been accepted by everyone including Pakatan Harapan (PH) themselves through a statement by its chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“It is puzzling as to why PSB wanted the parties who had ill-treated Sarawakians to return to power and continue this narrative that the PH government, one that (Datuk Seri) Shafie (Apdal) would have been the prime minister of, will somehow deliver for Sarawakians.
“The facts speak for itself, PH never cared for Sarawak nor its rights. It never had and most probably never will.
“PSB should stop resorting to petty politics and move on, rather than making childish arguments in the media that would benefit no one.
“Instead, they should support the new federal government and ensure that the nation remains politically stable for us to be able to brave through this pandemic and the economic slump,” said Fazzrudin.
The Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy youth chief was responding to Wong’s statement in a local daily today where the latter alleged GPS had failed to seize a golden opportunity to have Sarawak rights under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) to be restored by supporting Shafie.
Fazzrudin pointed out that the stand taken by GPS was a rather practical one and it will continue to work with those who are able to deliver in the interest of Sarawakians.
Between PH government and Perikatan National government, Fazzrudin asserted that the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government had delivered on its promises but not PH.
He explained that PN had delivered in terms of the payment of State Sales Tax (SST) owed by Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) to the state government, where the additional income was used to fund development projects to benefit the people.
The Sarawak government through its discussions with the PN federal government was also able to have a greater participation in the State’s oil and gas industry, Fazzruddin pointed out.
“The PN administration had been courteous to Sarawak and understood the needs of the State, extending its help whenever necessary.
“This was in contrast to how Sarawak was treated under PH where infrastructure projects were cancelled, school children were held to ransom over due to reluctance to fund school repairs and Sarawak’s rights were encroached by the establishment of the Federal Village Community Management Council (MPKKP),” he added. — DayakDaily
