By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Nov 12: Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah told the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today that the state government has lost faith in Putrajaya.
With that awakening, she said the state now realised it had to determine its own destiny.
“Just like in any marriage, we put full trust in the head of the family to fulfil his obligation. When this trust is breached, as boldly pointed out by the late Tok Nan (late Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem), the awakening made us realise that we have to determine our own destiny, to find our own resources for provisions of basic utilities (electricity, water and telecommunication), building roads and bridges, repairing dilapidated schools, and continuing approved projects that are currently put on hold or cancelled by the present federal government.
“This is the fight we are pursuing now,” she said in her winding-up speech.
She told the assembly of lawmakers that when the state became a part of the Federation of Malaysia through the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), a social and political marriage was sealed based on trust.
“We put our trust in the federal government, the executive authority over subject matters such as the provision of basic infrastructure and amenities, security, education, health, housing and general wellbeing of the people, to fulfil their obligations as agreed in the MA63.
“Throughout the years of this social and political marriage, requests have always been made by the Sarawak government in a cordial manner in line with the spirit of a family,” she pointed out.
With the federal government breaching the trust, Fatimah said the state was now fighting for its rights.
On June 12, she said, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) decided to “divorce” amicably with its old friend, Barisan Nasional, and decided not to be part of the Pakatan Harapan-led federal government.
“Sarawak could not depend on the beneficence of others and the responsibility of the Sarawak government is to have the capability to determine our direction and future.
“Even though we decided not to be part of the federal government or continue the ties with BN, we thank God that the state government still has its vision, mission and clear direction to continue with sustainable development agenda and proceed forward in our own unique way (the Sarawak Way),” said Fatimah. — DayakDaily
