Sarawak will have a chance to fight for state’s rights

KUCHING: Sarawakians will have the opportunity to strengthen their voice in Parliament in the 15th General Election (GE15) in fighting for the state’s rights, says Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.

The Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president said a strong win for the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition would boost the state’s efforts to regain its rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), including autonomy on health and education, a bigger share of financial allocations as well as for one-third of parliamentary seats to be for Sabah and Sarawak.

“This is our chance of coming together in unity to send a strong team of GPS MPs to the next Parliament,” he said in response to the announcement of Parliament’s dissolution yesterday.

Malaysia, said Dr Sim, needed a strong and stable government in the face of global uncertainty.

“Not three prime ministers in five years. Enough of the daily politics, divisions and hatred,” he added.

GPS, comprising Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), SUPP, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), had 19 MPs in the just-dissolved Parliament.

Sarawak has 31 parliamentary seats.

PBB Women chief Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said it was ready to step up its election preparations, adding that it was already in standby mode.

“Now that Parliament is dissolved, our Women’s wing will have to go into the next stage of our preparations to help GPS win. We will also work with the Women’s wings of other GPS component parties.

“This time, it is more challenging because of the increase in the number of new voters among those aged between 18 and 28, as well as those above this age group who are first-time voters,” she said.

Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan said it was inappropriate to hold GE15 during the monsoon season.

“Voter turnout would be low. Political parties which lack resources and funds may not be able to campaign in full force due to floods and rain,” he said.

PBK, said Voon, would be combining forces with two other local Oppostion parties – Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) and Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) – for GE15.

The three parties have signed a memorandum of understanding on Sept 19 to work together on mutual seat allocation to avoid contesting against each other in the polls.