KOTA SAMARAHAN: To ensure that Sarawak’s rights are restored, the position of Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) proposed in the formation of the new government must have real power.
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) senior vice president Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said that this is important because Sarawak and Sabah are still behind in infrastructure development compared to the Peninsular.
He noted that a stable government is a government that understands the needs of the states comprehensively.
“To bridge the infrastructure gap between states and underdeveloped areas, we can concentrate on infrastructure in Sarawak and Sabah, for instance,” said Fadillah.
He told reporters this after attending the symbolic handing over of Peranti Siswa at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) today.
Fadillah who is also the caretaker Senior Minister of Public Works insisted that the fight for the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) must continue in the new government that will lead Malaysia from now on.
“Right now our strategy is to ensure that whoever forms the federal government must realise what is written in the IGC (International Crisis Group) report, including the autonomous administrative powers for Sarawak,” he said.
The Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg recently insisted that the proposed establishment of three DPM posts from Sarawak, Sabah and the Peninsular is not just a ceremonial post.
Abang Johari who is also the chairman of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) noted that his party already has a candidate if the proposal becomes a reality.
He added that the candidate can become DPM at any time, but what is important is that the position must have authority, not just protocol.
