KUCHING, Oct 17: “To think that much of Petronas’ wealth comes from the oil and gas resources of Sarawak and Sabah but not much comes back to both States, this was most sad and regrettable, and could make us cry,” says a local political pundit.
Datuk Peter Minos said before Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Sarawak literally had no voice and no say because it was controlled by the rules and whip of Barisan Nasional.
“Before GPS, Sarawak and the whole lot of us suffered in silence. We could not speak out on many vital matters — on the powers and rights under MA63 (Malaysia Agreement 1963) that Malaya usurped since 1963, on demanding the rich Petronas (Petroliam Nasional Berhad) to give more to Sarawak for development, on allocation of more funds from the federal government.
“Only with GPS can Sarawak ever hope to change Malayans’ attitudes and ways towards Sarawak for the better. Before GPS, there was no way we could do so. We just ‘ikut saja’ (follow blindly),” said Minos in a press statement today.
He said for far too long since 1963, Sarawak ‘ikut saja’, allowing Petronas to become rich and powerful, contributing yearly billions upon billions to the federal government mainly for development in Malaya and Sarawak only given a ‘very insignificant’ percentage in return.
Claiming that GPS is “almost godsend” without which Sarawak would have no voice, he said the setting up of GPS was a political watershed for Sarawak, more than being momentous and historical.
He said Sarawakians want to have more funds from the federal government for development and to get rid of rural poverty and economic backwardness but those in Kuala Lumpur did not quite listen nor bothered.
“And if it was before GPS, Sarawak would forever be left behind and will never catch up with Malaya in all areas and aspects.
“GPS was almost godsend. It is Sarawak’s voice. It is Sarawak’s guardian and protector, apart from being the development arm. Yes, GPS is everything for Sarawak,’ said Minos. — DayakDaily
