KUCHING – Parti Sarawak Bersatu today called for the establishment of a national truth and reconciliation commission, which would be modelled based on the one set up in South Africa after the end of apartheid.
Its secretary-general Baru Bian said corruption and high-level abuse of power have seen Malaysia losing ground economically.
“The South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission adopted a restorative rather than retributive model of justice to address the problems that had arisen due to apartheid.
“Malaysia can adopt these principles and the processes of that model to address the injustice and corruption that assails this nation. This will be a positive step and the way forward for us,” he said.
Baru said the country faces great economic hardship and the people find it difficult just to put food on the table, while the prices of goods are rising and wages stagnating. More worrying, he added, is the chasm dividing people of different races and religions.
“As our new prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim settles into his role, the most troubling issue he and his government will have to deal with is the widespread corrupt practices that have permeated all levels of society, business, and government.
“The bubble of unity and harmony had long been burst by self-serving politicians who played on racial and religious issues to gain support. It is now time for our nation to heal. It is time that all peoples of this country reconcile and find acceptance of each other,” added Bian, who is also the Ba’Kelalan assemblyman.
Meanwhile, when contacted Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) president Bobby William said as a communal based political party, PBDS is hopeful that Anwar will build a nation that unifies all races towards creating a common goal and set Malaysia on a determined, progressive, and harmonious path.
He said he is confident that Anwar can create a Malaysia that can compete with the rest of the world economically, socially, and culturally.
On Anwar’s proposal of appointing a deputy prime minister from the Borneo states, Baru said it should be a non-Muslim MP who could assist him in all matters affecting the interests of the Borneo states as enshrined in the federal constitution.
Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak president Lina Soo said Malaysia urgently needs stability. “Now we have a government, we have to get the economy going,” she said when contacted.
“We are facing many challenges. We need investments and businesses, to provide jobs and employment.
“Now we can start the healing process, and let us work towards stability and our rakyat can have economic security and progress.” – The Vibes, November 25, 2022
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