By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, May 27: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) has voiced out against the setting up of Penggerak Komuniti Negara (PKN) in Sarawak.
PBB information chief Datuk Idris Buang likened PKN to organisations like MPKKP (Federal Village Community Management Council) which failed to take off following the fall of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.
“They should not allow that kind of body which has political objectives but masquerading as an NGO or something else in Sarawak like the ‘MPKKP’ which has since died a sudden death.
“It may arouse uneasiness as it is similar to some existing setup which has long been around in Sarawak,” Idris told DayakDaily.
However, he pointed out that presently, it was still unclear as to what extent were PKN’s powers and functions.
“Sarawak government and GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) ministers at the federal level must present its/their views through proper cabinet discourse to object to it, as it seems to be a ‘continuation’ of what was desired by some in the days of the PH government,” said Idris.
Idris, who is also Muara Tuang assemblyman, reminded that the setting up of such bodies must observe the laws of Sarawak.
“To be realistic, any such body having similar objectives but needing implementation will invariably require observance of laws autonomous to Sarawak.
“The federal ministry concerned has to go through the Sarawak government before even thinking setting it up in Sarawak. This is without any doubt,” said Idris.
According to Leslley, the focus of PKN was to bring about social, education and communal development to the local community.
“Officially, its setting up is in line with National Community Policy which was just launched by Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin on Feb 2019,” said Leslley.
He said at this stage, 198 PKN committees had been set up across the country where membership has reached 300,000 nationwide.—DayakDaily
