KUCHING, May 16: It is high time for the federal unity government to treat Sarawak and Sabah fairly, equitably and justly, especially in returning full powers to the two Bornean regions under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) without further delay and granting more development funds.
Political pundit and former Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu deputy info chief Dato Peter Minos also urged the government to take immediate action to ensure Sarawak and Sabah’s progress and development of Sarawak and Sabah can catch up with Peninsular Malaysia in all fields.
“If not, the rifts between Sarawak and Sabah and the peninsula would perpetuate and potentially worsen.
“Rectifying the disparities would require political willpower and sincerity. While it is not easy, it can be done given the power and resources at the government’s disposal,” he said in a statement today.
Minos, who is also Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman, believed that Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s government can gain widespread support to last and survive by prioritising addressing the cost of living, combating corruption, treating Sarawak and Sabah fairly, steering away from internal dissension and focusing on economic improvement.
He emphasised the importance of maintaining unity within the government to avoid internal conflicts and dissension, warning that internal disunity can have severe repercussions as witnessed in the past few years.
“The Prime Minister has faced difficulties in managing internal problems between component parties and personalities. Never push the other side too hard or too harsh, as it could result in a united and forceful response,” he said.
As the nation continues to recover from the effects of the Covid pandemic, Minos also urged the government to focus on improving and strengthening the national economy through fiscal and monetary policies, prudent spending and other measures in order to lay a foundation for betterment in other areas.
“The current pressing issue is the continuously increasing cost of goods and essential items, which has impacted people from all walks of life. The burden is particularly heavy on those belonging to the low-income groups, including the poor, pensioners and families with meager monthly incomes.
“While individuals with a combined monthly income ranging from RM5,000 to RM10,000 may experience some strain, it remains manageable. However, for urban and rural families earning below RM5,000 per month, life becomes incredibly challenging. In many villages and outskirts of towns, numerous families are struggling to make ends meet on monthly incomes of less than RM2,500,” he said.
As such, Minos said support from the government on the welfare of the poor and economically struggling individuals, especially through providing continuous subsidies for essential items such as rice, sugar, flour, milk, coffee, cooking oil and petrol would greatly assist those in need and be highly appreciated by the people. — DayakDaily
