MIRI – Parti Sarawak Bersatu’s (PSB) hopeful for the Pujut state seat, Bruce Chai, pointed out that the state’s ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak cannot deny it is in cahoots with ultra-conservative Malay parties such as PAS in the cabinet.
The former Miri councillor voiced his surprise to The Vibes today over GPS chairman Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg’s criticism of peninsula-based parties despite the fact that they are working together in Putrajaya.
“On one hand, Johari said GPS does not subscribe to extreme politics like what is happening in Malaya, but on the other hand, GPS partnered with PAS, Perikatan Nasional, and Barisan Nasional to form the federal government.
“How can GPS and Abang Johari justify this sort of politics to the rakyat in Sarawak? GPS helped put PAS into the federal cabinet. Those controversies created by PAS over racially charged topics, GPS must answer to as well,” said the PSB branch leader.
The opposition member added that he believes voters will soon judge GPS over its ties with the Islamist Malay party, which has been courting national controversy lately over the Timah whiskey issue, as well as the ban of gambling and alcohol sales to non-Muslims in Kedah.
Meanwhile, Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii shared Chai’s sentiments in a statement on Facebook yesterday.
The DAP lawmaker reminded Sarawakians that they should stand up against ultra-conservative parties through the ballot box.
“And here in Sarawak, we cannot think we are fully isolated from this and be naïve to think that this does not affect us. How about Sarawakians living in Kedah or working in West Malaysia that are affected by these extreme laws and restrictions? Do we not speak out for them too?
“Eventually if a party like PAS continues to be given a foot in power, they will have every platform to infiltrate and influence national policies, including on education, that will have a huge bearing and influence on our children and future generations.
“That is why the people must remember that political parties, including those from Borneo that fully know the direction of such extreme political parties, deliberately empower them and put them in the position of power to influence,” he said.
Yesterday, Abang Johari made clear that Malayan political parties should stay out of the Sarawak election because they are not welcome.
“Stay out of the state election. Leave Sarawak to us. We Sarawakians know how to run the state. We don’t want Malayan politics to end up in Sarawak.”
Speaking during the launch of the RM90 million City Hall complex at Miri Marina Bay this morning, the caretaker chief minister said GPS knows how to manage the state.
“We know Sarawak better than anyone else. Look at Malaya, they have had three prime ministers in the past few years. We don’t want our politics to end up like that.” – The Vibes, November 16, 2021
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