KUCHING, August 8: Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) is upset with Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei for stating yesterday that the non-governmental organisation (NGO) was sowing seeds of hatred between East and West Malaysians.
Insisting that S4S is still “the same” as before, its Kuching spokesperson, Tan Kok Chiang, pointed out that the movement had always been advocating the upholding of Sarawak’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), pursuing a referendum for Sarawak, and fighting for the state’s oil and gas royalties.
“From the beginning until now, we are the same. Nothing has changed. We did it before and after Pakatan Harapan (PH) took over the federal government.
“Why is it that the DAP (Democratic Action Party) find us okay before it took over the federal government and not okay anymore after it became the government?” Tan questioned, when contacted by DayakDaily today.
During a Jalur Gemilang handing-over ceremony held at SK Lumba Kuda here yesterday, Wong, who was the guest-of-honour, raised his concerns that certain quarters in S4S seemed to be spreading ill will between East and West Malaysians.
The DAP leader agreed that S4S had raised awareness among locals on the state’s history and rights, but he believed leaders in this NGO had a “hidden agenda” and called for it to be stopped.
Instead of using a general description, Tan challenged Wong to name the individuals in S4S who had deviated from the struggles of the movement.
“He should just point out straight away who these people are,” said Tan, adding that he was baffled by Wong’s remark that S4S had a “hidden agenda”
Tan insisted that S4S had always been very open about its agenda.
“We did not change,” he said, “It is the DAP who has changed.”
Citing an article that was published by The Borneo Post two years ago, Tan said state DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen was quoted as urging Sarawak not to celebrate the National Day on Aug 31.
“Now the DAP is changing its tune and is helping to promote Aug 31. We don’t want to say anything more. We just leave it for people to judge,” said Tan, who provided the link to the article he mentioned (http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/09/01/chong-sarawak-should-stop-celebrating-national-day-on-aug-31/). — DayakDaily
