By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, May 19: Dato Ibrahim Baki (PBB-Satok) has urged Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Padungan) to apologise to the august House for falling short of public expectations.
He was referring to the time when Chong and Democratic Action Party (DAP) during the 22 months of being in power under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, did not manage to match the expectations of the public.
This was a factor the low turnout and vote splitting among the Chinese urban voters in the last State election which saw DAP losing five seats and only managing to retain the Padungan and Pending seats.
For this, Ibrahim took a jab at Chong who is the Sarawak DAP chairman, by saying that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will and have been delivering on its promises and not engaging in empty talk, “unlike some particular opposition members in this august House who are only fond of distilling insignificant issues, spinning and manipulating them to serve their political agenda and benefits.”
He said based on his observation as a first-term assemblyman, there is a member of the House who distilled and displayed gimmicks and sarcastic remarks instead of using precious time in the august House to raise, allude, deliberate and debate issues related to Sarawakians and one’s constituency.
“When I read the previous Hansard, another one pledged and made promises which ultimately, we all know are mere “tin kosong” (empty can) and “janji kosong” (empty promises).
“While he has apologised outside (in public), he hasn’t done so in this august House. We leave it to his conscience,” he said during a debate in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.
He also criticised Chong who had reserved his support against the tabling of Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2022 by Deputy Minister in Premier of Sarawak Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali yesterday (May 18).
He perceived Chong’s move as a protest against the State government’s good intention and initiative to enhance, reinforce and make clear Sarawak’s sovereignty and rights to redefine its land code aligning it with the National Land Code particularly on the subject on inclusion of the column of airspace above the surface specifically the spectrum.
“Yesterday, the Honourable Member for Padungan is either confused or trying to confuse us. How and where are we being unconstitutional when we are asserting our sovereign rights as per Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63)?” Ibrahim questioned.
Apart from the intention of the State government to align the State’s Land Code as per the National Land Code, Ibrahim said the provisions under Article 77 of the Federal Constitution clearly shows that the State Legislature has constitutional and competent authority to legislate on the spectrum.
“We do not intend to add (more power). We just want what’s ours.
“For us (GPS), clear and without ambiguity, we are protecting Sarawak interests. Nothing more, nothing less as per MA63,” he added.
Ibrahim also warned that slowly and surely the presence and influence of Peninsular-based parties will diminish and disappear as Sarawakians know that the future of Sarawak is best left in the hands of Sarawakians.
“Perhaps for those still harbouring to cling with peninsular-based parties and their bosses, a friendly suggestion that they need to think deep and reset.
“Stick with your peninsular masters, come next State election, you will be wiped out totally and disappear in oblivion.
“So be brave and free yourself. Embrace political autonomy in true sense. Not half-hearted like remaining as a subsidiary for a corporation,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
