SIBU: GPS candidate for Lanang, Wong Ching Yong, intends to take Sarawak’s status to the next level should he be elected into office on Nov 19.
“If I am elected as a Member of Parliament in GE15, I will strive to fight for Sarawak to become the first Autonomous Administrative Territory in Malaysia,” he said in a press conference here on Sunday (Nov 13).
He made the pledge against the backdrop of the state having been acknowledged as an equal partner, and not just one of 13 states, following a constitutional amendment in December last year.
Wong who is SUPP Dudong chairman said if Sarawak were to become an Autonomous Administrative Territory it would have immediate authority over all privileges as proposed under the Malaysia Agreement (MA63).
“This includes education, public health, finance, taxation, land, fisheries, petroleum, government positions, and others.
“We will no longer be influenced by the politics of Peninsular Malaysia which is often in conflict and this effort means self-autonomy and freedom for all the people of Sarawak.
“I truly believe that GPS is the only local party that is qualified to represent the whole of Sarawak to negotiate for the best interests of all Sarawakians at the federal level,” he said.
Wong emphasised that other political parties, especially the DAP do not have such qualifications because DAP is rooted in Peninsular Malaysia.
Towards this end he reminded that it was the GPS government that has received billions in revenue through the imposition of Sales Tax on petroleum since 2019 and that the federal government had also restored the state’s autonomy over deep-sea fishing licences recently.
“Therefore, I humbly urge all Sarawakians not to allow political parties in Peninsular Malaysia to rob our valuable resources including parliamentary seats for their political agenda.
“Only GPS can fight to protect Sarawak. However, this will be difficult if we do not have a strong representation in parliament,” he said.
