KUCHING: Sarawak Patriots Association (SPA) supports the Federal government’s suggestion for Sarawak to host the national-level Malaysia Day celebration in Kuching.
Its president Datuk John Lau said it would definitely help to boost tourism in Sarawak.
“SPA prays that more people from Peninsular Malaysia will come to Kuching to celebrate the 56th Malaysia Day,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He said since Malaysia was formed with Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak as partners, the three regions need to take turn to host the Malaysia Day celebration.
“We appreciate the announcement. The Malaysia Day celebration was held in Kota Kinabalu last year, and it is only fair and justified that Kuching, Sarawak shall host this year’s celebration,” he pointed out.
He hoped that Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad would have good news for Sarawak during the celebration.
“It was stated in PH GE14 manifesto (promise Number 40) to implement the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). Among them are efforts to enhance the understanding of the people on MA63 through the national education system.
“The people of Sarawak would like to hear the Federal government’s plans on including MA63 in the school curriculum, the rights of Sabah and Sarawak to revenue from their natural resources such as oil and gas.
“In PH GE14 manifesto promise number 41, it was mentioned that the government would increase petroleum royalty to Sabah and Sarawak to 20 per cent or equivalent. It further highlighted that with the allocation Sabah and Sarawak can take over responsibilities for more development expenditure. Thirteen months have lapsed, Sarawakians are still waiting for this announcement,” he pointed out.
He added that Sarawakians were looking forward to hear the good news that decentralisation of power to Sabah and Sarawak would be announced on September 16.
“This relates to the cabotage policy, open sky policy, transportation system, education and health matters.
“SPA believes that the people are patient enough to wait for the outcome of the various committee reports. But patience has some limit and it will become very stressful when the waiting game continues,” he said.
