By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 15: Satok assemblyman Dato Ibrahim Baki has confronted criticisms directed at Sarawak’s growing prosperity, particularly remarks made by former national leaders whom he accused of harbouring jealousy and disrespecting Sarawak’s rights and hard-won progress.
He said Sarawak is currently facing unnecessary challenges where there are disruptive voices beyond the State’s borders buzzing around like mosquitoes.
“When we thrive and prosper, some grow jealous. That’s how it is: having money is challenging, but having none is even harder.
“When we are prosperous like now, they want to create problems. But it’s no issue; we consider it a happy problem,” he said when debating in support of the Supply (2025) Bill 2024 in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting here today.
He noted that there was a retired senior leader, who during his tenure of service, had denied Sarawak’s request for development allocations and claimed that the State is not progressing because it is lazy.
“Sarawakians are not lazy; we work hard, and now you can see the results.
“Now that we are thriving, he wants us to help other states in Peninsular Malaysia. The world has turned upside down!
“It is Putrajaya’s responsibility to look after the states in Malaysia, not ours. That’s the concept of federalism,” he voiced out.
Ibrahim also said there is another former senior leader who was the finance minister, who accused Sarawak of not following agreements when it demanded its rights and respect for its laws, alleging that Sarawak’s former chief minister Tun Rahman was the one who proposed handing over Sarawak’s oil and gas resources to the Federal Government.
“First of all, it makes no sense for us to surrender our resources when Sarawak was so underdeveloped at that time. Even if it were true, there should have been a set timeframe or review period.
“Secondly, Tun Rahman is no longer with us, so how can this claim be verified? We are law-abiding citizens. We never reneged on any agreement,” he added.
Ibrahim further urged the critics to avoid double standards. He emphasised that Sarawak’s existing laws have not been repealed and that the laws enacted by this august House must be respected by all. — DayakDaily
