KUCHING, Sept 22: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Youth says that Malaya-based parties expect Sarawak to follow their terms and whims, yet Sarawak’s needs have never been their priority.
In pointing this out, PRS Youth chief Datuk Snowdan Lawan expressed his strong support for the statement made by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who told Perikatan Nasional (PN) that Sarawak may be friendly to it but it did not mean that Sarawak will allow Malaya-based parties to contest in the upcoming Sarawak Election.
PN was reported to have set up a liaison office in Sarawak with a new line-up.
Snowdan said such a move looked more like a ‘designed manoeuvre’ and a direct attack to undermine Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and posed a threat to the Sarawak-ruling coalition in the Sarawak Election where seat allocation will become more challenging.
“When PN was formed, they expected us (GPS) to support them. So we did and by being friendly, we hoped for the formation of a stable government though we might not necessarily and formally be attached to PN as one entity.
“To reciprocate, we also expect PN to support and respect our decision to contest in all 82 State seats in forthcoming elections in Sarawak for that matter. We also aim to pursue the MA63 (Malaysia Agreement 1963) agenda more vigorously. And Sarawak’s unity and development are our priorities,” said Snowdan who is also the Youth and Sports Assistant Minister.
Snowdan asserted local parties tend to have more “sense of ownership” towards Sarawak whereas parties from Malaya tend to “dictate” and expect Sarawakians to follow their terms and whims.
“It’s only fair that local parties in Sarawak should look after Sarawak. Parties from Peninsular Malaysia don’t have to meddle in our affairs,” he added.
Abdul Karim recently made a statement that GPS and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu, the main component party within PN) might be partners to ensure political stability but it did not mean the former will allow Bersatu to contest in Sarawak with the State election around the corner.
He said while Malaysia practises a democratic system whereby registered political parties have the right to campaign anywhere in the country, those involved in politics including PN must understand the feelings and interests of Sarawakians.
Abdul Karim said GPS would grow suspicious if Bersatu starts setting up liaison offices in Sarawak when the Sarawak Election is near. He called on Bersatu to learn from United Malays National Organisation (Umno) and stay away from Sarawak politics. — DayakDaily
