KUCHING, Aug 3: The women’s wing of Sarawak Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) suggests that a caretaker government comprising lawmakers from both sides of the aisle be formed to administer the State until the advent of a fresh poll.
State PKR Wanita secretary Cherishe Ng Phuay Hui said only a bipartisan government so formed could live up to the spirits of democracy, justice and transparency.
“The recent decree of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah granting extension of the state of emergency in Sarawak until Feb 2, 2022 has been most welcomed, as it effectively calls a halt on the impending State poll.
“From a constitutional perspective, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) now governs without the mandate of the people and can only be called a caretaker government.
“Good governance calls for transparency, both the ruling and oppositions must exude strong political will and determination towards this ends.
“With the opposition sitting alongside the ruling lawmakers, it would serve as some kind of check-and-balance against possible abuse of power thereby upholding the government’s integrity,” she said in a statement today.
She also asserted due consideration must be given to opposition voices and proposals within the coalition administration to truly reflect the spirit of bipartisanship.
She believed that at this moment of a worldwide crisis, Sarawak should grab the opportunity of regaining what’s been lost to the federal government on the bargaining table.
“In possession of 31 Parliamentary seats, the combined strengths of Sarawak could be an immense force in negotiating with the federal government for a greater degree of autonomy.
“The crucial 14 per cent in overall Parliamentary seats of Sarawak empowers the State having its say on matters of major national interests such as election reforms and State Elections with zero Putrajaya interference,” she added.
Ng also hoped that the Covid-19 pandemic would fade away by early next year but cautioned the State should also be prepared for the worst in case the pandemic persists with no sign of coming to a halt.
She said in the event that the pandemic situation does not seem to improve by next year, the government can still hold an election under the strictest standard operating procedures (SOPs) to fence off the virus. The prerequisite however, are that more than 85 per cent of the population must be vaccinated beforehand. — DayakDaily
