Malaysia

Indigenous Sarawakians hope new PM ushers in hope, real positive change

NGO for native communities wants income gap in state, high cost of living tackled

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 24 Nov 2022 3:55PM

Indigenous Sarawakians hope new PM ushers in hope, real positive change
The secretary-general of the Society for Rights of Indigenous Peoples of Sarawak, Michael Jok (pic), says Sarawak’s indigenous communities are confident Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will hold true to his promises to uplift the lives of ordinary people in the state. – Pic courtesy of Michael Jok, November 24, 2022

by Stephen Then

MIRI – A non-governmental organisation for the indigenous communities of Sarawak, while welcoming the appointment of the new prime minister, is praying there will be fresh winds of hope and real progress for the more than one million natives in the state, who are mostly in the lower- and medium-income categories.

The Society for Rights of Indigenous Peoples of Sarawak (SCRIPS) today welcomed the  news of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim taking the top post in Putrajaya.

Its secretary-general Michael Jok told The Vibes that the indigenous communities are confident he will hold true to his promises to uplift the lives of ordinary Sarawakians.

“There is fresh hope that we ordinary Sarawakians will see a country and a state where there is less polarisation in terms of standard of living, where those living in lower segments of society are given real support and opportunities to be uplifted from their living conditions.

“We ordinary Sarawakians want to see a balance in terms of wealth distribution, where the gap between the rich and poor is closed,” he said.

“We hope there will be less racial and religious fanaticism in the country.”

Jok also expressed hope that the high cost of living now being endured by Sarawakians will be effectively tackled and curtailed.

“This should be a time of hope and renewal for the country and Sarawak,” he said.

SCRIPS is one of the biggest native organisations in Sarawak.

It is focused on fighting for the land rights of the one million-plus native Sarawak people as well as their social and economic rights. – The Vibes, November 24, 2022

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