KUCHING: Amanah president Mohamad Sabu yesterday has accused the opposition coalition of inflaming racial tension in Malaya.
Calling the two culprit parties “Pasno” (PAS + Umno), Mohamad, who is better known as Mat Sabu, said that both Umno and PAS showed that they had no qualms about arousing racial sentiments in order to ensure their political survival.
As such, he advised his fellow PH coalition members not to use racial sentiments to get votes in the next state election. He would rather win the hearts of the common people by taking care of their welfare.
“Please do not import the racial problem from the peninsula to Sarawak. Let us fight for the benefit of our people, not for personal interest,” he said in his speech during Sarawak Pakatan Harapan fundraising dinner programme at Imperial Hotel, yesterday.
Regarding the increase in the number of foreign fishing vessels encroaching into Sarawak waters, the Defence Minister said it has caused the ministry to lose from RM6 to RM7 billion annually.
“We need clarity as to how to govern our seas, and to protect them from foreign intruders and encroachers. Thus, our ministry will focus on safeguarding our maritime assets and resources in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
Mat Sabu who just came back from an official visit to Turkey, also mentioned that there is a need to develop Malaysia’s defence industry.
“The Turkish defence ministry has agreed verbally to facilitate the building of our defence industry. We are looking forward to sharing their knowledge and skills,” Mat Sabu said.
Back to the affairs of the administration, he said that Pakatan Harapan is committed to its reformation agenda that upholds the rule of law.
“For example, we have agreed that the chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) must be held by the opposition to ensure the transparency of financial management.
“In fact, the PAC has the power to question anyone regarding financial issues,” he said.
