By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 23: The possible elimination of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) from the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) would create an opportunity for other opposition parties to step up and represent Sarawakians, says Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan.
He said Sarawak needed a strong, credible and homegrown opposition that could hold the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government accountable without being controlled by political forces from Malaya.
“Local opposition and non-GPS political parties can be more effective as a ‘control mechanism’ against GPS because we’re not controlled by anyone from Malaya,” he said in a press statement.
Voon said the absence of DAP from the DUS would not spell the end of the opposition in Sarawak, but could instead open the door for other parties to emerge as alternative voices for the people.
He said the interests and aspirations of Sarawakians must remain at the centre of the State’s political landscape, regardless of which party held power.
Voon also called for an open discussion on the role of political parties from Malaya in Sarawak, particularly in relation to the State’s autonomy and the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
He said Sarawak’s aspirations during the formation of Malaysia were rooted in protecting its rights, autonomy and identity, and that the arrangement was never intended to erase the State’s political identity or allow its affairs to be dominated by political forces from Malaya.
“MA63 remains a fundamental part of Sarawak’s history and the foundation of our relationship within Malaysia,” he said.
Voon argued that the question of political parties from Malaya operating and contesting seats in Sarawak should be examined in the context of MA63 and the original aspirations of the people of Sarawak.
He maintained that Sarawak’s future should be shaped by its own people, with elected representatives who understood local realities, defended the State’s rights and spoke up for its interests.
“The future of Sarawak must be shaped by Sarawakians, for Sarawakians,” he said. — DayakDaily
