KUCHING, Sept 26: Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) main mission now is to fight for Sarawak’s rights under Malaysia Agreement (MA63) and 20 per cent royalty based on production on Sarawak own oil and gas, said Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) veteran Dato Peter Minos.
This is because Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has announced that the federal government will honour Sarawak’s rights during his recent visit to Sabah on Sept 16.
“Tun Dr Mahathir has promised to give equality to Sarawak and Sabah, failing which, Sarawak and Sabah will be very unhappy. This may complicate things.
“As such, GPS will have a crucial role to play in demanding what is due for Sarawak under MA63 as well as the 20 per cent oil royalty based on production on Sarawak’s own oil and gas,” Peter told DayakDaily here today.
He stressed that if GPS were to be successful in its mission, then Sarawakians would accept it and will reject Peninsular Malaysia-based parties in the next state election due by 2021.
“GPS must ensure that it can shoulder the struggles and aspirations of Sarawakians, failing which, Sarawakians will choose Peninsular Malaysia-based parties in the state election due by 2021,” he cautioned.
He also related his experience of being chided by someone who told him, “GPS must win the upcoming state election to ensure that Peninsular Malaysia-based parties will not take over Sarawak”.
Peter pointed out that if such is the actual condition of the political undercurrent in Sarawak, then GPS has a bright future.
“I believed that GPS which consists of PBB, PRS (Parti Rakyat Sarawak), SUPP (Sarawak United Peoples’ Party) and PDP (Progressive Democratic Party) will make full use of such sentiment to prevail in the upcoming state election,” he said.
Meanwhile, Peter emphasised that if the federal government failed to deliver its promise to Sarawak, it would deprive Sarawakians of basic amenities as the state is still lagging behind compared to West Malaysia.
“The current federal government is controlled by individuals from West Malaysia. If it is honest with Sarawakians, then it would definitely assist in developing Sarawak. But if it is not, then GPS must fight for Sarawak’s rights,” he added. — DayakDaily
