By Shikin Louis
BINTULU, Oct 15: Sarawak wants the negotiations to take back Bintulu Port from the federal government to end and its handover implemented as soon as possible.
Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom who is Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) senior vice president said he has heard twice on the matter being under the negotiation process.
“On Sept 16, 2023, Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that the matter is still under negotiation.
“During the tabling of Budget 2024 recently, he too, said the status is still ‘under negotiation’.
“We do not wish to negotiate anymore; we want it to be implemented as what we have hoped and that is taking back the Bintulu Port,” he said during PBB Special Convention for North Zone held at Bintulu Civic Centre here today.
Dr Rundi pointed this out when reading out one of the resolutions agreed upon by party members at the Convention which stated, ‘PBB members fully support the Sarawak Government’s initiative to take over Bintulu Port as one of its efforts to consolidate and rationalise Sarawak’s ports and infrastructure for more orderly and proactive economic development in the future.’
Touching on the other 10 resolutions, Dr Rundi said PBB North Zone members have pledged unwavering support to party president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to continue leading PBB and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in ensuring political stability in Sarawak and Malaysia.
The party members also gave their full trust and confidence in the leadership of PBB and GPS to lead Sarawak in ensuring the rights enshrined in Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report 1962, and the Federal Constitution are returned by the Unity Government at the federal level as promised.
Thirdly, the party members pledged support to the strategic steps of PBB and GPS as partners in forming the Unity government at the federal level and demanded that federal leaders give cooperation and due respect to PBB and GPS representatives in fighting for the rights and interests of Sarawak.
Fourthly, the party members are determined to ensure that PBB’s status and role remain dominant as the backbone party for GPS leadership and the Sarawak government.
The fifth resolution saw the party members collectively remind GPS component parties that any steps and decisions that may jeopardise GPS’ spirit of togetherness, understanding, and stability should be referred to the proper channel.
In the sixth resolution, the party members expressed commitment to ensure that Sarawak could achieve high-income developed status by 2030 based on the policies and planning of Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).
Apart from that, PBB also fully supported the New Economic Policy, which is based on the Green Economy, Circular Economy and Hydrogen Economy as well as revenue re-engineering initiative undertaken by Premier to transform the State’s economy.
They also declared their commitment to ensure that unity among the people of multiple races, religions and cultures in Sarawak can be preserved and strengthened so that the community can live in peace and harmony.
The nineth solution saw PBB North Zone members propose the number of parliamentary constituencies in Sarawak and Sabah be increased so that the total number comprises 35 per cent of the total number of parliamentary seats in line with the aspirations of MA63 and IGC report.
Last but not least, they pledged their full trust and support to the Premier in the selection of candidate to represent GPS in the Jepak by-election and their cooperation with the component parties to ensure a big victory for GPS.
The event was officiated at by Abang Johari, who was accompanied by his wife, Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang.
Amongst those present were PBB deputy president Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; senior vice presidents Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof and Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom; permanent chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar; secretary-general Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi; Women Wing chief Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah; and Youth Wing chief Miro Simuh. — DayakDaily
