KUCHING: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Women chief Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Brodie is sceptical about Sabah’s wait-and-see approach in its constitutional rights fight.
She said when Sarawak leaders fought for the state’s rights regarding the State Sales Tax (SST) on petroleum products in accordance with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and won the case against Petronas, Sabah on the other hand had easily enjoy the fruits of the labour when they chose to implement it later.
On April 1, the Sabah government announced that it was seeking both five per cent sales tax on petroleum and liquefied natural gas export.
“After all, we, Sarawak and Sabah, have the right to impose sales tax as it is written in the MA63 and Federal Constitution,” she said.
Doris recalled when Sarawak wanted the word “in pursuant to MA63” included in the Federal Constitution when it was tabled at the Lower House last year, Sabah MPs were not with them.
Likewise, when Sarawak fought a legal battle against Petronas recently demanding for SST to be imposed on its petroleum and gas products, where was Sabah?”
She supported the call by PRS president Tan Sri James Jemut Masing and other Sarawak leaders for Sabah to join hands to fight for their rights.
“Sarawak and Sabah must be together and join forces to fight for our constitutional rights. After all, we are both in the same boat,” she said.
On April 3, Masing said both Sarawak and Sabah must learn to fight without fear and that Sabah not ride on Sarawak’s coattails.
