KUCHING, Oct 2: Deputy Minister of Welfare, Women and Community Development Hannah Yeoh should stop lecturing Sarawakians on what to say and what not to say as if they are children, opined political observer Datuk Peter Minos.
“By saying something offensive and not pleasant to Sarawakians, naturally she got clobbered at every corner,” Peter said in a statement today.
He was referring to Yeoh’s remarks made at a forum here last weekend, where she called on Sarawakians to do away with the ‘Sarawak for Sarawakians’ sentiment.
The former Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy information chief opined that many federal leaders did not know or were not bothered to know, much less understand and appreciate, Sarawakians and their concerns.
He wondered if Yeoh knew how Sarawakians feel when over 90 per cent of their own oil and gas profits and benefits had gone to the economic development of Peninsular Malaysia and that Sarawak’s power under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) has long been taken away by the federal government.
“Despite repeated requests, it has not been returned and restored. Sarawak has not been treated as equal in status to the peninsula as spelt out in the MA63.
“Yeoh should do herself a favour by knowing Sarawak and Malaysia history as well as the political and economic realities before talking out loud and lecturing Sarawakians,” Minos quipped.
He lamented on how more people from the peninsula were coming to Sarawak in recent times and talked about taking over Sarawak’s political power.
“I shudder to think what will it be for Sarawakians if the peninsula people and their meek local proxies or surrogates come in to control Sarawak’s legislature.
“Will they take away Sarawak’s immigration powers, land and forestry rights and others? Will they treat Sarawakians with respect and dignity?
“These are matters that makes Sarawakians worried, jittery or even suspicious. Statements like that from Yeoh has caused Sarawakians (to be) jumping, unhappy and displeased,” he said.
Peter believed Sarawakians sincerely love and honour Malaysia, but the people wanted a Malaysia that is truly fair and just to all. — DayakDaily
