With the formation of a ‘unity government,’ Malaysia and even Sarawak may see a new dawn, says Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Padungan).
He asserted that the “Sarawak First” slogan will sound hollow and meaningless when the whole country goes to the dock.
Following the formation of the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, he urged fellow Sarawakians to set aside their differences and work together to rebuild the country for the welfare of the people.
He expressed earnest hopes for the inclusion of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in the federal unity government.
“It’s now time to heal, reconcile, find commonalities, and rebuild our beloved nation.
“Let’s put aside our differences and come together to rebuild our nation and for the betterment of our people.
“This will just be the beginning, and the real work starts now,” he said during the debate on the State Budget 2023 on the fifth day of the 19th State Legislative Assembly (DUN) session today (Nov 25).
As for Sarawak, Chong noted, what is best for Sarawak is a competent multicultural federal government that takes care of the people regardless of race, religion, or background.
“We are an integral part of Malaysia, and the success or failure of Malaysia will impact us directly,” he added.
However, he said a unity government cannot be a truly unifying government without the participation of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) as the coalition governing Sarawak and having the largest number of Members of Parliament from Sarawak.
He is adamant that only a government under the leadership of Anwar can guide the nation towards more political stability, instil the values of good government that will enable the nation to advance, and entice international investment.
“And such a choice was proven right as when he was named the prime minister, Malaysia’s stocks surged the most in over two years since March 2020 on bullish market sentiments and the ringgit gained 1.9 per cent against the dollar, becoming the best performer in Asia since the announcement,” he pointed out.
Chong then admonished Sarawakians that they should not be so foolish as to believe that divisive attitudes, such as religious and ethnic fanaticism, do not influence them in Peninsular Malaysia.
Along with ongoing migration into the state, he pointed out that thousands of Sarawakian students studying at public universities in the peninsula expose themselves to such negative and polarising views. This raises the possibility of these sentiments further contaminating the peaceful society.
“As Sarawakians, what we want is a multiracial federal government in Putrajaya that embraces pluralism and to treat all Malaysians regardless of our race, religion or backgrounds fairly, and not one who instigates, spews hatred and plays with racial and religious tension to further divide us Malaysians,” he added.
