KUCHING, August 13: Sarawak Baru, a coalition of four local-based political parties, has formed a working committee to study and compile issues that will form the core of its political struggles, said Cobbold John, its acting chairman.
He said the decision was made during yesterday’s meeting in Sibu that was attended by leaders of the four parties — State Reform Party (STAR), Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB), Sarawak Workers’ Party (SWP) and Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras).
The working committee assigned each of the four parties to undertake tasks they were more familiar with or specialised in, said Cobbold.
“STAR has been assigned to study and compile issues relating to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and Sarawak’s rights, including over oil and gas resources, Territorial Sea Act 2012 and Petroleum Development Act 1974,” Cobbold said in a press statement here today.
He added that STAR president Lina Soo was very much familiar with these matters.
“We believe she and her team can handle this task well,” he said.
PBDSB, of which Cobbold is president, has been entrusted to tackle native customary rights (NCR) land, Dayak ‘adat’ and other Dayak-related issues.
SWP is to look into problems facing workers in the state, especially in the oil and gas industry, oil palm plantations, and construction sites.
“SWP is also tasked to study the Sarawak Labour Ordinance, which we feel has many outdated provisions that need to be updated or amended to meet the current and future demands and challenges in the labour market,” said Cobbold.
As for Teras, the party is to examine issues pertaining to infrastructure development and other facilities in the state.
The four parties have until January next year to submit their reports for tabling at the next Sarawak Baru leadership meeting. — DayakDaily
