KUCHING, July 9: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will earn the trust of Sarawakians if the alliance is brave in both words and actions.
Political analyst and former Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu publicity committee chairman Datuk Peter Minos opined that GPS must show it could speak up freely and loudly on issues dear to Sarawakians and then resolve all the issues that mattered.
“Sarawakians will rally behind GPS if it is seen and believed to be really struggling for Sarawak and getting things done successfully. People are impressed if it is talk and action for the good of Sarawak,” said Minos in a statement today.
He asserted that with GPS out of Barisan Nasional and not in Pakatan Harapan (PH), the state was now free to determine its own fate.
“No longer is Sarawak bound by strict party rules and the whip imposed by Kuala Lumpur-based parties, unlike in the past. That freedom to speak for what is best for Sarawak and its people and also the freedom to demand what Sarawak deserves from the PH federal government is very important and most desired. This is very clear and dear to Sarawakians,” he said.
He believed that due to party rules and silent pressure imposed by BN, Sarawak had to agree to certain things that turned out to be detrimental to the state, such as the Petroleum Development Act 1974.
“Now, no force or power can force Sarawak to agree on anything that Sarawak does not agree with, in or out of Parliament or at other forum.
“There is now a feeling of freedom and of joy that Sarawak no longer be dragged by the nose by Kuala Lumpur or [the] PH federal government,” he said.
Minos believed that when people could think freely and could act without hindrance, their future was assured and bright.
Hence, he said, GPS must use fully its new-found freedom of speech and action.
“After putting its house in order, hopefully very soon, GPS will start in earnest doing things for Sarawak, in particular using the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 to get back Sarawak’s oil and gas without Petronas putting up the obstacles; and also get Kuala Lumpur or the PH federal government to fully return Sarawak’s powers under the Malaysian Agreement 1963 and make sure the PH government keeps its promises and pledges and completing federal projects like the Pan-Borneo Highway,” he said. — DayakDaily
