KUCHING: The change of government at the federal level has given a golden opportunity to Sarawak to take stock of its situation and start anew by forming a coalition of all local parties after parting ways with the Barisan Nasional (BN).
“We are very proud of the new coalition (Gabungan Parti Sarawak or GPS) of four Sarawak-based parties – PBB (Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu), PDP (Progressive Democratic Party), SUPP (Sarawak United People’s Party) and PRS (Parti Rakyat Sarawak).
“The changing situation demands that GPS develop a fresh relation with the new Putrajaya leadership for the sake of Sarawakians according to stipulations set down in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” said PDP president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing during the launch of GPS at Stadium Perpaduan in Petra Jaya yesterday.
Tiong hoped that GPS led by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg would have a stronger and more effective voice when talking with the federal government about Sarawak’s need for basic amenities and infrastructure.
“We also need to ensure that Sarawakians improve their skills as human capital so that their household income could increase,” said Tiong.
He also suggested that GPS firmly demand that the federal government increase the state’s development allocation because despite its vast resources, Sarawak is still far behind Malaya in many aspects.
“There are so many things that need to be done to resolve various issues especially in the rural areas. By hook or by crook, GPS will have to find the best ways and means to improve the people’s lives and make Sarawak a better state,” he said, adding that with firm decisions made by the chief minister concerning projects that received no funding from the federal government, the state government has taken the initiative of using the state’s own funds.
“PDP and other Sarawakians agree with and are proud of the imposition of the five percent tax on oil and gas taken from our state.
“If the federal government still fails to assist us after all sorts of discussions, we might increase the tax to 10 percent next year to increase our state revenue,” he said.
