KUCHING, Aug 19: Sarawak Patriots Association (SPA) Chairman Datuk John Lau calls on Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to live up to Malaysian mentality by not short-changing Sarawakians and Sabahans.
He said the call from Dr Mahatheir that Malaysians from Sabah and Sarawak must think more Malaysian than Sabahan and Sarawakian was welcomed and timely.
“However, SPA calls upon the national leadership to lead by example by having the Malaysian mentality first.
“This means race and religion is secondary and therefore race and religion should not dictate policies with regard to nation building and this includes the economy of our country,” said Lau in a statement today.
He believed national leaders have not been treating Sarawakians and Sabahans as their equals.
“We all started as Malaysians in 1963 where Malaysia was formed on September 16. But ironically Malaysia Day was not celebrated until recent years.
“And the Federal Constitution Article 160 stated that Malaysia was established under the Federation of Malaya Agreement 1957 rather than the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). We all know that Sabah and Sarawak had not participated in the Malaya Agreement 1957.”
“It is an undisputed fact that Sarawakians and Sabahans are citizens of Malaysia. But from a few SPA surveys, it showed that there are some unhappiness among Sarawakians, that the original terms and conditions stated in Malaysia Agreement, 1963 (MA63) has not been respected,” he claimed.
According to Lau, MA 63 was enacted in 1963 with equal partnership among Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak.
“People in Sabah and Sarawak felt that the equal partnership can be better enhanced as they felt they have been marginalised from the main stream development, policies, decisions which will impact our country’s economy growth.
“Being equal partners, Sabah and Sarawak needs to be involved in decision making as Sabah and Sarawak are different in terms on infrastructure from the Peninsular.
“For example, there are 400 over dilapidated schools in Sarawak yet to be repaired. Sarawakians are frustrated that national leaders are not decisive in their decisions and constantly changing their decisions to repair the dilapidated schools.”
“Our two rangers namely Lance Corporal Moses Lojers and Corporal David Edmond Rapi are still missing in an operation in Pulau Perak in West Malaysia. We have no updates concerning the search plan to look for them. Sarawakians are very concerned of their safety and praying for them to be reunited with their family,” he lamented.
Lau also claimed that PH government failed to fulfil the promises made during their GE14 manifesto.
“National leaders from West Malaysia must learn from Sarawak on how Sarawakians can live in unity and harmony in diversity irrespective of races and religion.
“SPA calls on every citizens in Malaysia to think like Malaysians, starting from the national leaders,” he urged. — DayakDaily
