PH Sarawak: Bersatu spreading its wings to state timely for state election
MIRI: Pakatan Harapan ( PH) Sarawak secretary Senator Alan Ling Sie Kiong describes Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s ( Bersatu) spreading its wings to Sarawak as the right move and timely considering that the Sarawak state election is due in two years’ time.
“The entry of Bersatu will undoubtedly complement and further strengthen PH Sarawak in its quest to take over the helm of the Sarawak government,” he said adding PH component parties will have to work together and closely as PH Sarawak to ensure success when contesting against Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
Prime Minister and Bersatu chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will launch Bersatu Sarawak in Bintulu today ( Dec 1) marking its official foray into the state with party top brass led by president and Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and other Bersatu cabinet ministers in tow.
Ling said with Bersatu’s presence in Sarawak where various ministerial portfolios in the federal cabinet are held by their representatives, it will allow for smoother and more direct assistance to be provided to Sarawak and its people.
“For instance, Home Ministry under Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin which deals with citizenship matter is closely relevant to Sarawak because many natives and rural folk in the state are still stateless and have been waiting a long time for their applications to be processed.”
Other ministries like rural development, entrepreneurship, youth and sports as well as education are also held by Bersatu’s representatives.
“So it is forseen that the setting up of Bersatu branches here can provide local leaders another channel to assist and give feedback to the ministries so that the ministries are able to understand the situation better and make necessary adjustments to serve the people here more effectively.”
Ling who is also DAP Sarawak secretary suggested that better mechanisms are needed so that decisions can be made quicker on citizenship applications and he is confident the Home Minister will be able to formulate a framework on delegation of responsibilities in this aspect to resolve the citizenship issue in Sarawak more effectively.
“The issue is close to my heart, and many of them ( stateless people) were born here and have been staying in Sarawak for decades without having proper documentation due to various factors, one of which is the remote locations that had hinderered registration. I hope the new government will resolve this on humane grounds within reasonable timeframe.”
PH federal government, Ling said, is committed to efforts to return autonomous rights of Sarawak and had set up a cabinet committee to relook Malaysia Agreement 1963 ( MA63).