KUCHING, May 16: United People’s Party (UPP) has pledged its support for Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad and his administration.
UPP also affirmed the party’s status as an independent political party in Sarawak.
In a statement issued by the party’s central committee today, UPP said it will examine all ways to work with the federal government for the betterment of Malaysia as a whole and for Sarawak in particular.
They also congratulated Dr Mahathir on his election as Prime Minister of Malaysia and the Pakatan Harapan alliance on their success in the recently concluded 14th general election.
“We will support the federal government in reforms that will bring restoration of the independence and integrity of the judiciary, anti-corruption agency and the police force, promotions in the civil service based on merits and seniority instead of favouritism or race, restoration of freedom of speech and freedom of the media.
“We also support the removal of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) which hits hardest on those least able to afford it and the implementation of an equitable tax system that will assist the poor and promote strong economic growth by making us competitive with other countries in the region,” the statement said.
Among items on the agenda in its meeting, UPP wants crackdowns upon corruption, which has impoverished the nation and the re-direction of the country’s wealth to education and healthcare, particularly in matters concerning the dilapidated schools and over-crowded hospitals in Sarawak.
It also requested for eradication of racial and religious disharmony which had reared their ugly heads in recent years because of certain politicians playing up racial and religious sentiments in order to try to gain support.
The party also said that since UPP is a part of the state government under the leadership Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, it also pledges its full support and commitment to work with the Sarawak state government in the pursuit of the restoration of all rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“The leaders of UPP will, in the coming days, explore all avenues to collaborate with other political parties with the interests of Sarawak as its primary objective and the interests of all Malaysians in general,” the statement said. — DayakDaily
