A government backbencher has joined the fray in expressing disappointment with PH Sarawak which he said had made many promises during GE14 but chose to ignore and refused to admit and apologise to the people when they could not fulfil them.
Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing (GPS-Meradong) said among the broken promises were:
• giving 20 percent petroleum royalty;
• 10 percent of the revenue will be declared as Petro Cash Dividends for Sarawakians;
• RM1 billion for the repair and upgrading of dilapidated rural schools and provision of facilities and increased staffing;
• a stable price support system for farmers of raw rubbers and raw pepper;
• subsidised public bus services in all major towns;
• expedite process of identity card registration and birth certificate applications; and
• rectify mistakes of names, addresses and religions on identity cards.
He said PH Sarawak also promised that all religions in Sarawak would have equitable access to development in line with Article 3 and Article 11 of the Federal Constitution where all religions shall enjoy equitable distribution of building funds and lands for the construction of places of worship and religious activities.
Debating the motion of thanks for Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud’s address in the State Legislative Assembly here, Ding urged the federal government to respect the true spirit of the formation of Malaysia, that the country is a secular state where freedom of religion shall be upheld at all times.
He urged the federal government to empower the state government with sufficient revenue for the planning and development of Sarawak to be at par with the peninsula.
“Return to the state government 20 percent oil and gas royalty as compensation in lieu of oil and gas rights as well as 50 percent of all tax revenue generated and collected in Sarawak.
“Review the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution to devolve powers of education and healthcare to Sarawak, as well as partially allow Sarawak to have some autonomy over its own police force,” he said.
Ding wanted the present judiciary system changed to allow the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak to be at par with the Chief Judge of Malaya, with his/her own autonomous power in budgetary and administrative matters in relation to the judiciary in Sabah and Sarawak.
