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Masing: Changes needed to remain relevant

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KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, who is also the President of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), believed that the newly-formed Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will work if everyone was brave to make changes to suit the present political scenario. The changes involves religious matters, land reforms and restructuring of the civil service.

He added that he had made known his suggestions to Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg before the four parties, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), PRS, Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) and Progressive Democractic Party (PDP) came to form GPS.

He explained that the communal based party was no longer well accepted by Malaysians and there was a need for them to review their political structure in order to stay relevant for the coming State election in 2021.

Masing also stressed that there was a need to restructure the State civil service.

“The civil service must reflect the social fabric of Sarawak (Malays, Chinese and Dayaks). The recruitment must be based on merits and be perceived by the public as such without ignoring the uniqueness of racial composition of Sarawak’s society,” said the Deputy Chief Minister.

On the religious diversity in Sarawak, Masing complimented that there was a general respect and acceptance among the diverse religion and race here but they must come together under a common ground to fight for Sarawak.

He added that there should be an annual budget for the non-Muslim Unit (UNIFOR) so that Sarawakians of diverse religious belief can continue to practise their religion without feeling neglected.

On land reforms, Masing said that there was an urgent need so that Sarawakians regardless of ethnicity are given the chance to own land to suit their needs.

“The sense of ownership will give them a sense of belonging,” he explained.

He also said that the government should not procrastinate on Native Customary Rights (NCR) issues.

“In the State Election in 2016, the ruling State government had won 72 out of 82 State seats while in the 14th General Election, only 19 out of 31 parliamentary seats were secured.

“This goes to show that the majority of Sarawakians are still with us but it will be a big mistake if change is not made to move forward on how Sarawak is being governed,” said Masing. He added that they had to relook and evolve to improve things in a positive manner.

PRS lost two out of the six parliamentary seats contested and it had been a shock to the Barisan National coalition when they lost in the 14th General Election as they had ruled the country for over six decades.

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