By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Nov 15: Senior politicians from the state ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) expressing interest in pursuit of Sarawak independence is akin to seeing “light at the end of the tunnel”, said Voon Lee Shan.
The Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president believed the struggle for independence has seen new light now that politicians from Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) have raised the matter publicly.
He claimed that Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) lawmakers have also been talking about the independence referendum.
“Now you can see political parties, not only the opposition, even GPS is also talking about independence. The senior politicians are talking about it, the PBB side is also talking about it now.
“SUPP has now advocated freedom and independence by referendum and whether this is their genuine struggle or for political survival is immaterial, but the fact that they are supporting PBK in the quest of independence for Sarawak, gives Sarawak people some light at the end of the tunnel in this struggle,” he told a press conference here today.
SUPP passed a resolution calling for a Sarawak independence referendum at its recent annual delegates conference. It was one of nine resolutions adopted by the party.
Voon believed it is possible for Sarawak to gain independence as the state can unilaterally declare independence provided all procedures are taken in compliance with domestic, customary and international laws.
He opined that in any governance and democracy, there is nothing to prevent the central government to play rough against the norms of democracy and acceptable international practices.
However, any act of aggression, he believed, will bring forth the judgement of the international community and all Sarawakians.
“Any rough act by the central government would surely get response from the people of Sarawak and the international community. The central government knows that it would pay a heavy price for any rough act against pro-independence movements and activists and it is therefore, unthinkable that the central government would be seen, especially, by the international community, to act that way,” he said.
Apart from that, he believed foreign investors in Sarawak will also use their influence in the United Nations to stop any aggression.
He said act of aggression would reflect a bad image of the federal government and that the latter should learn from West Papua and Catalonia that high-handed suppression on those advocating for freedom and independence will only end up in the loss of lives and property.
“In its struggle for freedom and independence for Sarawak, PBK advocates peaceful strategies in accordance with domestic and international law. These strategies had not only caught the attention of Sarawakians but also the international community,” he said. — DayakDaily
