KUCHING, Sept 10: Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) has lashed out at Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) for crooning a different tune now compared to when they were with Barisan Nasional (BN).
PBDSB president Cobbold John Lusoi said the same state leaders should have defended Sarawak’s rights when they were still in BN.
“The recent statement made by Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing, who is also Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president, about his defence of Sarawak’s rights and supporting Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg were not convincing at all to most Sarawakians today.
“The collective statement from any GPS ministers and allies nowadays had given an impression as if they were never part of the federal government before and putting all the blame on others,” said Cobbold, when referring to Masing’s statement published in the MalayMail yesterday.
He said the only closest thing to defence the people had seen was the one carried out by the late Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem. Anything before and after him are just “political drama”, Cobbold added.
He said for GPS members, especially Masing, to make such a statement now would not compensate for what they did not do in the past. He said it was ridiculous for GPS to believe that they could convince Sarawakians that the coalition would be a total opposite of BN Sarawak when it is just the same bunch of ministers under a new house.
“Sarawakians today are smarter and consistently learning from the past and political history, thanks to the technology that we have today.
“It is absurd to believe that anything that GPS has to say today will offset what they could have done in past years,” reckoned Cobbold.
Nevertheless, Cobbold said he agreed with Masing with regards to the death threat by a Facebook user against Abang Johari. He said it was totally uncalled for and should not be a practice by Sarawakians.
“We hope all Sarawakians should know better that as a secular and civilised nation, your votes are the way to make a difference, not by resorting to violence,” he said.
He called on Sarawakians to understand the real reasons why the formation of the Federation of Malaysia was initiated. For the wellbeing of Sarawakians, he opined that the state should forever be governed by a Sarawak political party.
“It is for the sake of ensuring the valid strength and empowerment as well as the rights of Sarawak that is spelt out in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). Fighting for and defending Sarawak’s rights are long overdue,” said Cobbold.
He said Sarawakians ought to stand united in this fight, but the recent calls by GPS are “desperate acts” to stay relevant and for the sake of their own political survival.
Cobbold assured that the Sarawak Baru alliance was ready to make the difference and called on all Sarawakians to vote for a new Sarawak. — DayakDaily
