SIBU: This year's Sarawak Day carries a new and different meaning compared to previous years, says Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (pic).
In a statement on Friday (July 22), the Dudong assemblyman said this was after the Dewan Rakyat passed an amendment to the Malaysian Constitution regarding the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) in the third reading,
"On Dec 14, 2021, with 199 votes in favour and no votes against, the Dewan Rakyat passed an amendment to the Constitution restoring Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners in the formation of Malaysia.
"Sarawak, no longer a mere federal state, now has a degree of autonomy with the status of being an equal partner in the Federation of Malaysia," he said.
With Sibu hosting this year's Sarawak Day celebration on July 22, Tiong said the people can look forward to celebrating it year after year filled with gratitude for the stability and harmony in their homeland.
"Riding on this exciting wave, we must stride forward with confidence. Perhaps the pace of Sarawak’s infrastructure development and fight for autonomy was held back in the past and we dared not dream too big nor too far forward," he added.
He said what the state was fighting for must now reflect the expectations of the people as it will affect many and benefit many over the coming generations.
"In every state assembly, Sarawak elected representatives have always been 'Sarawak First' in putting the people’s livelihood and welfare as paramount concerns, often raising points for debates," he stressed.
Tiong, who is also Bintulu MP, said this year's State Assembly continues to introduce forward-looking Bills, setting a national precedent, and allowing Sarawak to truly control her own destiny.
"Today's priority is to improve the quality of Sarawak's infrastructure and her people's living standards. Only with a sound infrastructure environment can Sarawak’s development blueprint be pieced together, while making the direction of progress clearer," he asserted.
Tiong also called on the people to have confidence in Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in administering the state.
"The situation in the world changes rapidly, while GPS’s principles have remained the same, to be the strongest defender and supporter of the Sarawak people, and to build a better home for everyone to live in and work in peace and contentment.
"At the same time, we are committed to improving the well-being and fortifying the rights of the Sarawak people. I want the people to walk freely on the fertile Bornean rainforest soil without worries under the care of the GPS, and continue to sing joyful songs to honour their homeland, Sarawak," he concluded.
