KUCHING, April 14: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) women’s wing urged Sarawakians to be cautious over Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) “New Deal”.
Its chief Kho Teck Wan held the view that the rights of Sarawakians are already well-secured within the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and no ‘new deal’ was needed.
“Sarawak formed Malaysia with Malaya, North Borneo (Sabah) and Singapore as a partner in 1963. Our founders had fought hard so Sarawak’s special rights and autonomy are spelled out in the international treaty — which is the MA63 and Inter-Governmental Committee Report.
“Our rights are safeguarded in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and Inter-Governmental Committee Report; why do we need another agreement?”
“Any ‘new deal agreement’ from a Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia) party should be treated with extreme care,” said Kho in a statement today.
She also pointed out that the Sarawak government would not enter any agreement with a coalition whose registration is in question.
“Why would Sarawak BN (Barisan Nasional) government enter into a ‘New Deal Agreement’ with PH whose status of registration is in question?”
She stressed that Sarawak BN was committed in delivering Sarawak’s autonomy through the devolution of power based on Malaysia Agreement 1963 while if the opposition parties truly wanted to fight for Sarawak, they should join a Sarawak-based political party.
“Sarawakians cannot trust Malayan (Peninsular Malaysian) opposition parties to fight for us.
“So I urge my fellow Sarawakians to support and work together with Sarawak BN to build a stronger Sarawak.
“Only a coalition built under Sarawak-based parties will and is capable of fighting for Sarawak’s interest.” Kho emphasised. — DayakDaily
