KUCHING: Parti Sarawak Bersatu’s collaboration with the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) is a way forward for PSB for the betterment of Sarawak.
PSB Secretary General Baru Bian described the collaboration as the party looking beyond and taking into account the current political landscape of the country, which is now more polarised than ever.
He cited concerns over the latest unconstitutional remarks and statements made by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that Malaysia is Tanah Melayu; Hadi Awang of PAS for continuously attacking the DAP; the intensifying politicising of race, religion and royalty especially by many Umno and Perikatan Nasional (PN) leaders.
“Two weeks ago, I was asked by Astro Awani to comment on Tun’s comments and I referred to my speech in Parliament in July 2020 in response to the Pasir Salak assemblyman’s statement that Malaysia is a ‘Tanah Melayu’.
“I said that as a Sarawakian and a native, I was greatly disappointed that he felt the need to assert a racial claim to this country that is made up of many races and ethnic groups, including those in Sabah and Sarawak.
“In times of crisis such as the communist insurgency and the 1969 racial riots, the Orang Asli and Sarawakians and Sabahans also fought to protect the sovereignty of this land,” he said in a statement on Monday (July 17).
He stated that he has no idea how Mahathir could think of such a thing because nowhere is it stated in the federal constitution that Malaysia is a ‘Tanah Melayu’.
“It is common knowledge that Malaysia is a federation of Malaya together with Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners. Our forefathers would never have agreed to the federation if the idea was to become a federation of ‘Tanah Melayu’.
“It is truly disappointing that someone who was once considered a statesman could have descended to such depths to play the racial card in order to remain relevant.
“On PAS making such statements, we are not surprised as this has been their political angle all the while,” he added.
In light of this, Baru said with this latest development in West Malaysia where Mahathir, PN, PAS, and some Umno leaders are making increasingly incendiary and divisive statements for political survival, there is reason to ensure the present Unity Government prevails.
“In view of the current political developments at the federal level, PSB sees it fit to work closely to support the effort of the Unity Government.
“Therefore, the public support of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Unity Government and the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition led by the Premier through our collaboration with PDP is a move forward in a uniform direction.
“We cannot allow political extremists to take over the administration of this beloved country Malaysia,” he stressed.
