KUCHING, Sept 3: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy presidential candidate Rafizi Ramli is ignorant for stating that PKR could gain control of the state by winning 18 seats in the next state polls, which is due in 2021.
“His (Rafizi’s) statement shows his ignorance of the politics or the demography of Sarawak politics. He might not even know that there are 82 seats in Sarawak,” Abdul Karim told DayakDaily today.
At the 20th anniversary of PKR Reformation Movement gathering here yesterday, Rafizi told those present that his party must win at least 18 seats in the state polls to form the new Sarawak government.
Abdul Karim added that it looked like Rafizi was lacking in confidence too.
“If he were to say PKR will contribute at least 18 seats to form the Sarawak government, does he mean that he is relying on other parties?” asked Abdul Karim, who is also Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports.
On Rafizi’s remarks about returning Sarawak’s rights after winning the next state election, Abdul Karim said Rafizi’s argument was typical of leaders from the peninsula when they are fishing for votes.
“What Rafizi is saying is what most politicians will say when they want support. (Former Prime Minister) Datuk Seri Najib (Tun Razak) and the Barisan Nasional then said the same thing.
“But look, we have been waiting for years and years and it’s only (for) Peninsular Malaysia that we see real physical development happening. Only after 50 years of Malaysia do we see the Pan Borneo highway taking shape,” lamented Abdul Karim.
He advised leaders from the peninsula not to beat around the bush but to treat Sarawak with respect.
“As I have said, treat Sarawak with respect. This is not 1963, where one can hardly see any graduate or professional in Sarawak. This is 2018. There are thousands of Sarawakians who are graduates and are able to analyse what politicians like Rafizi are saying.
“(In addition) do not impose any condition or partial conditions,” he added. — DayakDaily
