Sarawak’s interests must come first

KUCHING: Sarawak’s interests should be put first if Perikatan Nasional (PN) wants to last long in power.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said since Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) was the lynchpin that enabled Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to become prime minister, he requested that the latter consider Sarawak’s interests first. 

Masing added that as he believed that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had whispered what Sarawak’s immediate requests were, he did not wish to repeat them publicly.

In terms of ministerial priority, Masing, who is Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president, hoped Sarawak lawmakers were given portfolios that would serve the state’s needs.

To PAS, Masing had this to say: “Sarawak is a multiracial and multireligious state. We’ve lived in peace for generations. Therefore, I would advise PAS not to push its Islamic agenda to Sarawak if PN wants Sarawak to be a good coalition partner in administering Malaysia.”

Businessman Joseph Jindy regarded the conditions set by GPS as partners to the PN federal government as a smart move.

He said Sarawak’s rights to be acknowledged by PN was a good turning point for the federal government to recognise fully the state’s rights in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

On Sarawak laws to be recognised pertaining to the state’s natural resources on land and water, Jindy said for the past few years, Sarawak had been having a tug-of-war with the petroleum industry player in Sarawak in which everything was decided by the federal government.

Thus, with this deal, Sarawak could own and manage the resources within its territorial waters, meaning any agreement signed before this could be declared null and void. 

Commenting on GPS’ decision to only be friendly to PN (PN+GPS Plus) and not joining the coalition, Jindy said this deal would give a choking threat to the federal government because “if they don’t honour the deal, Sarawak can opt to leave the newly-formed PN federal government.” 

On Abang Johari’s statement that Sarawak saved Malaysia, Jindy said: “It is yes and no. Yes, because at least, the deadlock was shortened and a government was formed. No, because it’s too good to be true. We wait and see.”

Gines Ruwei, a pensioner who follows political development closely, said it was high time for the federal government to acknowledge Sarawak’s rights in power sharing and over the state’s resources.

Pointing out that MA63 was the prime instrument to form Malaysia, he said, “It is only fair to right the wrong for a more legitimate federal government that sticks dear to written agreement that formed the basis for legitimacy.”

On the PN plus GPS government, Gines said it sounded good as such arrangement would maintain the independence of the Sarawak government.   

He said if any adversity affected its position, GPS could always withdraw, leaving PN back to a very fragile position even to the extent of collapsing. 

This, he added, would put PN on its toes and not take GPS lightly. 

“However, there are a few issues to consider. Firstly, the strength of GPS will depend on how many ministerial posts allocated to them. 

“Secondly, because of the thin majority the PN Plus government is facing, GPS may face a dilemma in getting a motion passed. It requires a two-third majority. 

“Lastly, GPS may face objection from Barisan Nasional (BN), the same political umbrella that had denied them the opportunity during the BN’s rule for more than 60 years up to May 2018. They may question GPS’ rationale and ask why now,” Gines said.

A social activist, George Young Si Ricord Jr, said it was too early to comment as no specific detail had been revealed.

For example, he said, if one of the conditions was to acknowledge Sarawak’s rights and position in the federation, then when would Sarawak’s status be restored to that under the MA63 Agreement?

“And if Sarawak’s rights are to be acknowledged, then when will we get at least 20 percent royalty for our oil and gas, and 50 percent of our tax revenues?” he asked.

He said Abang Johari talked about ‘tunang’ but to us Sarawakians the ‘mas kahwin’ was more than just words that acknowledged our position and rights.

“We want real action and our fair share of what is our resources,” he added.

A senior lecturer at UCSI University, Bernard Jussem, said this was the time for Sarawak to make its demands and make sure they materialised.

Hence, he said the demands must be practical, not only for a decade but beyond.