State BN urged to put aside personal grudges, wounded pride

SIBU: State DAP Women chief Irene Chang said the state BN government should put aside any personal grudges and wounded pride and work together with state Pakatan Harapan (PH) to restore and rebuild Sarawak for the people’s good.

No matter who sits at the federal level, Chang said all Sarawak elected representatives should be on the same side on improving the lives and livelihood of Sarawakians and to bring socio-economic developments to the state on par with Peninsular Malaysia.

“However, this could not be done if the state BN government refuses to mend its old ways and not accept what is being offered to the people ofSarawak on a platter, which include the restoration of territorial integrity and devolution of powers in taxation, public revenues, education and health,” she told a press conference here yesterday.

With her were Lanang MP Alice Lau and Sibu MP Oscar Ling.

Chang said those were what PH, through its coalition parties of DAP, PKR and Amanah, had been fighting for for so many years.

“Even though the state BN government has missed the boat by refusing to sign the agreement for the new deal before the general election, state PH is still very much committed in delivering all its election pledges.”

Chang was referring to the statement made by Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah that the state government did not even bother to have a peek into the new deal offered by state PH to them on April 9.

“This shows the BN is suffering from a dismal lack of understanding and lack of respect for the voice of the people.”

She said the state government should bear in mind that such arrogance and refusal to hear the wishes of the people would not sit well with Sarawakians, as could be seen from their dismal election performances.

Chang said the state government should also stop practising ‘carrot and stick’ politics in trying to entice the people to vote for them in return for development.

She cited in particular the announcement by the chief minister on May 5 that RM3 million would be allocated for the Rejang Park Central Sewage System, RM1 million for Sibu Chinese Chamber of Commerce Innovation Hub, RM1 million to repair the United Chinese Association building, RM63 milion to construct phase 1 of Jalan Rantau Panjang/Rassau, RM3 million for the upgrading and repairing of Sibu Central Market, and RM1 million for the construction of SJK (C) Kiew Nang’s new block.

“The people are watching if these promises will be carried out as these are the state government’s responsibility as long as they remain as the government of the day.”

She added that for the first time since Sarawak and others formed Malaysia, there is a real possibility that most, if not all, of Sarawak’s rights which have been taken away from her since the past 55 years, would be given back if the PH federal goverment and state government were to work together.

“The state government should therefore not hesitate to accept the federal PH government and state PH’s offer once the mechanisms are put in place.”