KUCHING: The passing of the five per cent sales tax on oil and gas this year marks the beginning of Sarawak’s financial independence which allows the state government to further develop Sarawak on its own.
“The state already has its own oil and gas before the formation of Malaysia which is why it is our asset and it is also the inheritance of the Sarawakian children,” said Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian during a celebration of the party’s 60th anniversary at the SUPP Headquarters here yesterday.
Sim who also Minister of Local Government and Housing added that the sales tax would boost the state government’s revenue which could be used to finance various development projects without relying on the federal government for assistance.
He noted that Sarawak had achieved the objective of the Malaysian Agreement 1963 (MA63) to be incorporated into the Malaysian Constitution when it was approved by the State Legislative Assembly last month.
“We do not want a cosmetic change of the constitution like what the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government was trying to do recently,” he stressed.
“We were naive in 1963 and we got cheated but now in 2019 Sarawakians are not stupid and do not want to be cheated anymore,
“We want you (federal government) to change comprehensively the Malaysian Constitution including clearly stating the terms and conditions of Malaysia Agreement 1963 as it was never stated before,” he exhorted.
Sim said if the PH federal government is not able to run the schools in Sarawak, they should give back the power to Sarawak.
“If they are not able to run the hospitals, give back the hospital management to Sarawak; and if they are not able to pluck the grasses on the road, give back the road tax as Sarawak can manage with its rise of young talents.”
“I hope that the PH promises in its manifesto and the Sarawakians’ aspirations are fulfilled as quickly as possible and if it is not fulfilled, the voices of the people will get even louder as Sarawakians demand for a referendum,” he said.
He also said that he was glad to see many young members of SUPP attending the celebration adding that the survival of the party depended on the younger members.
The celebration began with the ceremonial flag-raising which was participated by party members from the 10 zones in southern Sarawak followed by the anniversary cake cutting and breakfast.
Among those present at the celebration were former SUPP president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, SUPP vice presidents Datuk Lee Kim Shin and Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing, SUPP secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, SUPP assistant publicity and information secretary Lo Khere Chiang, SUPP Central Youth chairman Michael Tiang Ming Tee and SUPP Central Women chairperson Kho Teck Wan.
