MoCS chief: ‘A Day of Patriotism’ not political event
KUCHING: Movement for Change Sarawak ( MoCS) had assured that ‘A Day of Patriotism’ is not a political event.
Its founding chairman Francis Siah said the invited speakers to the event will not be talking politics, but about patriotism.
“We in MoCS are nonpoliticians. We are an independent non- governmental organisation ( NGO) and the key leaders of MoCS harbour no political ambition.
“We are working with whoever works for Sarawak, either GPS government or PH government,” he said.
Siah said this when announcing MoCS’s event ‘A Day of Patriotism’ at the Friendship Park here from 12 noon to 5pm tomorrow ( Sept 29).
Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How, who is the legal adviser of MoCs, is expected to launch the event.
Siah said the theme ‘A Day for Patriotism’ was chosen because they wanted to invite Sarawakians to remember and express their loyalty and patriotism to their homeland Sarawak.
“Of late there have been a lot of talks. The people of Sarawak are very keen with a lot of issues affecting Sarawak.
“And on that occasion, we will try to join with other Sarawakians to express those sentiments about loyalty to Sarawak,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
Siah noted that voices over other pertinent issues such as the importance of referendum to Sarawak, the desire for autonomy for Sarawak and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 ( MA63) that have been going louder might also be expressed further and explained during the event.
He said Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Hannah Yeoh would be f lying over to attend the function.
He said Yeoh would give a talk, the highlight of the day, on ‘ what is our role in Malaysia Baru?’
“She will deliver a keynote address on the subject, to be followed by a townhall session, where somebody will interview her on stage.
“The interview would be done by activist Dr Jacqueline Kueh, our coordinator in Singapore, who will f ly in here to join us,” he said.
Siah said a former American tribal judge Dr Navin Nandu had also been invited to talk at the function.
He said Navin is a Malaysian but had been working in America for many years and he is a specialist in the American tribal affairs, which includes the setting up of native court.
“I have invited him to come and he will talk precisely about the setting up of native court,” he said.
The event organizing secretary Edmund Lee also insisted that the event is not political.
“Yes, we have received a lot of feedback that by having two elected representatives ( YBs) there, it is political.
“But why there are YBs there. I concur with Yeoh’s argument that they were elected by the people, so they have to go back to the people to explain to them rather than keeping quiet about the things that are not right in the country,” he said.
Also present at the press conference was MoCS Kuching coordinator Mike Lim.