KUCHING, April 9: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing is making an overture to Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak to join the state Barisan Nasional (BN).
His main reason for doing so is both Sarawak DAP and the state BN share the common interest of fighting for the betterment of Sarawak.
“Since DAP Sarawak ‘tolak’ (rejected) PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) logo, which DAP in Semenanjung (Peninsular Malaysia) will use for this coming PRU14 (14th General Election or GE14), why not (state) DAP join Sarawak BN now?
“After all we share common interests and objectives and that is for the betterment of all Sarawakians,” said Masing who is also Deputy Chief Minister in a statement.
He said that Pakatan Harapan in Peninsular Malaysia has objectives which differ from those of the state DAP.
It was thus his view that if the state DAP were to think of joining BN Sarawak, then both should get together even now so as not to waste resources and time.
“If (state) DAP is thinking of linking with BN Sarawak after PRU14, why not we get together now and not waste our time, energy, emotion and resources fighting with friends who share common interests?” said Masing.
Masing said this to the media after the launch of Sarawak BN’s GE14 manifesto by state BN chairman Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president at PBB headquarters here today.
All presidents and top brass of state BN component parties were present at the launch. Among them were Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
Also present were PBB deputy president Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, PBB deputy president Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and PBB senior vice-president Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
There are many similarities between the manifesto of Sarawak BN titled “Transforming Sarawak through Digital Economy” which was launched in the late afternoon here today and that of the state DAP themed “New Deal New Hope for Sarawak” which was launched on January 20 in Sibu.
Among them are the fight to regain Sarawak’s rights as stated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963, devolution of power, obtaining a greater share in Sarawak’s oil and gas resources, better education and transforming the rural areas. — DayakDaily
