By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 1: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan has come out in support of Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, rejecting calls for his resignation following remarks that drew criticism from constitutional expert Dr Abdul Aziz Bari.
According to Voon, Nanta did not breach the Federal Constitution nor disclose Cabinet deliberations or classified information, stressing that his remarks should be understood within the broader context of unresolved federal-state issues affecting Sarawak.
He said Nanta’s comments reflected the frustration and sentiments felt by many Sarawakians after more than six decades of unresolved matters related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), particularly in areas of development, autonomy and recognition.
“Voicing dissatisfaction or urging reflection on unresolved federal-State issues does not amount to sedition, nor does it automatically violate collective cabinet responsibility,” he said in a statement recently.
He also argued that democratic governance allows for honest discourse, especially when such discourse is aimed at strengthening the Federation through reform and fairness.
He cautioned that calls for resignation over the expression of long-standing grievances could silence legitimate concerns and further alienate Sarawakians, adding that Sarawak’s position in Malaysia is founded on partnership rather than subordination.
According to the PBK president, persistent political pressure and failure to address historical issues would only deepen public frustration among Sarawakians.
“Nanta’s remarks should be seen as a wake-up call, not an act of defiance,” he said, urging leaders to engage constructively in addressing long-standing issues faced by Sarawak. — DayakDaily
