Of 'good ties', the spirit of Federalism and BN's sham democracy

During campaigning for the 10th Sarawak state elections, Prime Minister Najib Razak exhorted Sarawakians to vote for BN so that good ties can be maintained between Federal and State level.

This means that if the state is under the administration of Pakatan Rakyat, it will be sidelined which is what is happening now in Kelantan, Kedah, Penang and Selangor.

The PAS-led Kelantan State Government has been denied their rightful oil royalties and therefore has proceeded to initiate legal action against the Federal Government.

Najib and BN does not respect the voters freedom of choice. In short, the democratic right to choose is abused by BN because if the people of a particular state choose the Opposition, they will be victimised and funds will not be allocated to that state.

Even the Pakatan MPs do not have the RM1 million that is supposed to be allocated to them by the Federal Government for basic repair and upgrade works of their constituencies and this forces them to work under great financial constraints.

To persist in what is unethical is the most shameful

Malaysia Chronicle contacted PAS strategist Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad who minced no words condeming Najib for unethical practise and disrespecting the people's wishes and choice.

"Najib exhibits his ignorance or denial of the practice of Federalism and this is very shameful indeed. Any party or coalition could be leading at state or Federal level. It is not a given that it must be BN who must always be the sitting government," Dzulkefly told Malaysia Chronicle.

"Najib should stop using fear tactics to force Sarawakians to vote BN because they have been marginalised for 47 years already. They won't be hoodwinked anymore by either Najib or Taib."

The PAS MP for Kuala Selangor said in the interiors, 70 per cent of the longhouses do not have clean water and electricity while 50 per cent are still hardcore poor earning less than RM520 per month.

Abetting Taib in oppressing the Sarawakians

Yet Najib abuses his executive powers to help Taib bully the Sarawakians. The same goes in the peninsula, where he directly victimises the people in PR-helmed states. This is in direct contrast to the spirit of Federalism and a clear subversion of democratic principles, said the PAS leader.

Despite the setbacks, the Auditor-General's Report has praised Penang and Selangor as being even more effective and efficient than those run by BN administrations.

In urging Sarawakians in the interior to go for change, Pakatan campaigners especially from PKR have been pointing out the good administration and benefits enjoyed by the Selangor people especially in regard to native land rights.

Whereas BN campaign workers are using Najib's tune to counter the PKR message. They tell the indigenous people that only a vote for BN will ensure progress will come to the longhouses.

Fuziah Salleh, PKR MP for Kuantan, has travelled far and wide with her team to the inner reaches of Sarawak to carry the Pakatan's message. This despite BN agents trying their best to block the campaigners' access.

"It s shocking but some of these government agencies have stopped Pakatan workers from visiting the longhouses and even the longhouse chieftains have been instructed to shoo away Pakatan supporters," Fuziah told Malaysia Chronicle.

"This makes it very difficult for Pakatan to gain access to the longhouses. Still, PKR is trying its utmost despite the longhouses being tightly guarded by BN party workers."

PKR MP of Selayang, William Leong, when contacted by Malaysia Chronicle, chose to have what may be the last words on the issue, although the BN is hardly likely to agree.

"If Sarawakians wish to maintain good ties with the Federal Government, then it is best to vote for Pakatan because after the 13th General Election, the Federal Government will be Pakatan Rakyat," he quipped. - Malaysia Chronicle