KUCHING, Aug 18: State Reform Party (STAR) says Sarawak must not be ensnared into the hate speech, racial and religious discord played out in Malaya today.
Describing the controversies Pakatan Harapan (PH) government are facing as “self-inflicted”, STAR president Lina Soo held the view that Sarawak should stir away from these controversies but focus on real issues.
“To be embroiled in the problems and controversies of the Pakatan government which are self-inflicted, is only to distract us and derail us from our aspiration to prepare a better future for our Sarawakians.
“Sarawak’s concerns are bread-and-butter issues – access to basic needs such as water, electricity and healthcare, food on the table, good education for our children, job and business opportunities and welfare of our senior citizens.
“We need to see our Sarawakians uplifted from poverty, and every Sarawak citizen has equal opportunity to pursue his economic, social and political future.
“Sarawakians need to set priorities, be socially and politically matured, and happy with the government,” said Soo.
She observed that of late, PH has been facing many issues ranging from khat, Lynas, Selangor Conversion Bill, sex videos, Zakir Naik, to third national car and flying car.
She called on Sarawakians not to be distracted by all the political drama which have nothing to do with Sarawak, and instead stay focused to work towards a better Sarawak.
“It is up to Sarawakians themselves to seek a life of security, prosperity, freedom and independence, and indeed they should do so, sooner rather than later,” said Soo in a statement today.
She believed that nation-building especially when it is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural setting, there must be racial unity and religious harmony in tandem with economic and social development.
“Escalation of acrimony and hostilities between communal groups – ethnic and/or religious – will result in conflicts which may possibly lead to state failure,” Soo warned. — DayakDaily
