By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 18: Sarawak can work with Malaya-based parties for the good of Malaysia, but it will never allow them to build their base and bring their noxious political culture into the State.
Stamping his foot firmly down on this issue, the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, stressed that the Sarawak way of politics and even life are different from that of Peninsular Malaysia.
“Umno and Malaya-based parties, don’t come here. Since the beginning, we have demanded that no Malaya-based party should step foot in Sarawak. Umno wanted to come; we told them there was no such need.
“On that side, even Malay people using chopsticks can be accused of becoming Chinese. Religion becomes a problem and even fighting over the use of Allah,” he said during the Sarawakku Sayang Programme at Sri Kalaka Main Stage in Saratok, which was streamed live through Sarawak Public Communications Unit’s (Ukas) social media today.
Abang Johari added that the divisive politics in Malaya have led to the change of three prime ministers in only one term, and it was Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) that played a significant role in determining the stability of the country that saw the appointments of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and later Datuk Patinggi Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
“Sarawak did not ask Dr Mahathir to resign, but he did that on his own accord, leaving the country without a leader for one week. All of the leaders then and even now are fighting for enough support and political survival,” he reminded.
Without GPS, he pointed out that Malaysia would have continued to be plunged into political chaos due to power struggles, while the economy would be veered off and been disrupted with investments not coming and inflation set in.
“We have our own culture, and we know how to manage Sarawak on our own. Our culture is different from Malaya. Our people, be they Iban, Malay, Orang Ulu, Chinese and Bidayuh, have no problem living as a family.
“We want and must defend our distinctive culture. We must safeguard the unique culture, social harmony and unity, and the Sarawak-style management in Sarawak. Such leadership, political and social culture has been passed down from Tun (Abdul) Taib Mahmud to (late Pehin Sri) Adenan (Satem) and now me,” he said.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Deputy Minister of Community Wellbeing Development Mohamad Razi Sitam, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and Kalaka assemblyman Mohamad Duri were present. — DayakDaily
