MIRI – Curbing corruption in Sarawak, tackling the high cost of living, narrowing the gap between the rich and poor, and restoring the rights of Sarawakians in Malaysia – these are among the key priorities of local opposition party Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) in the general election (GE15).
PSB today became the first Sarawak party to unveil its GE15 manifesto following nomination day yesterday.
PSB president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh unveiled the manifesto at his party’s Sibu head office.
Wong is PSB’s candidate for the Sibu parliamentary seat.
He is facing incumbent DAP MP Oscar Ling and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate Clarence Ting who is from the Sarawak United Peoples Party (SUPP).
Wong told a press conference that the PSB manifesto touches on issues affecting Sarawakians at the state and national levels.
He said the manifesto is compiled based on the latest situation affecting the rakyat in Sarawak.
“Our manifesto covers all key aspects of life in the social, economic, political and administrative sectors in Sarawak.
“We need to deal with the constantly rising cost of living, the hike in inflation, surge in corruption, increase in poverty among the people, the lack of public amenities like good roads, bridges, water and electricity and other basic facilities in both urban and rural Sarawak.
“The premier of Sarawak keeps talking about mega projects, ambitious hydrogen economy and grand ideas on massive multi-billion mega projects, but the grassroots are living in constant hardship in this state.
“The rakyat in Sarawak have to struggle daily to deal with expensive food and other necessities.
“Sarawak must deal with these very basic issues first, not grand ideas.
“Once you can alleviate the life of the rakyat, then the premier can talk about mega projects.
“Money from government coffers is being taken out blatantly and spent lavishly.
“It is being siphoned overseas too. We need to stop these abuses of the rakyat’s money,” he said.
Wong said PSB wants to restore the rights of Sarawak that the ruling state government lost to Malaya during the past six decades.
He said the Sarawak state government had failed in its duties to protect the interests of Sarawakians at the national level.
PSB will make a positive difference in the Dewan Rakyat if our candidates are elected as MPs, he said.
PSB is contesting 10 parliamentary seats in this general election.
Aside from Wong who is contesting in Sibu, the other notable PSB candidates are senior vice-president Baru Bian who is contesting in Lawas, vice-president Datuk Lawrence Lai contesting in Miri and secretary-general Priscilla Lau for the Lanang seat. – The Vibes, November 6, 2022
