KUCHING: A Sarawak political observer is among the growing number of people who is upset by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s insensitive comment that those advocating the use of English at the expense of Bahasa Malaysia are still trapped in the colonial mindset.
Datuk Peter Minos also slammed Barisan Nasional (BN) deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan’s suggestion that a new Malaysia Agreement be drawn up to realise the Sabah and Sarawak’s rights and demands instead of the 1963 agreement that led to the formation of Malaysia.
“We are fed up with some silly, or even dangerous ideas from those in Malaya.
“Both ideas are very silly and idiotic and totally unacceptable and repulsive,” he said today (July 4).
Minos, who is the Kota Samarahan Municipal Council chairman, pointed out that people in Sarawak saw English as a tool to advance and progress in the modern world of globalisation and high competition.
He said if people from PAS did not like English and wanted to be left behind that was their choice and Sarawakians wanted none of it.
“We want to catch up with the world and English is one major instrument to do that. If PAS and their supporters can progress without English good luck to them.
“It is not being unpatriotic or having a colonial mentality mastering English, but we need English to improve our lives … that’s all to it,” he stressed.
On the new Malaysia Agreement (MA), Minos said it was outrageous for anyone to have suggested it in the first place.
“If done, effectively there will be no Malaysia. Once the original MA63 is dismantled there is no guarantee that a new Malaysia is created.
“Very silly of the one who sought for a new MA. The idea of a new MA is seditious. Totally outrageous,” he said.
He explained that if those ideas were acted upon and implemented it could lead to the demise of Malaysia.
“Really silly, saying things without thinking and calling themselves leaders. We love it the Sarawak way. We want to master English whatever others say for our good and we do not like the idea of a new MA,” he said.
