Sabah, Sarawak to change history soon, Anwar predicts

Anwar is increasingly confident of how the Borneo electorate feel about government change.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim claimed tonight that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) had successfully worked its magic in the Barisan Nasional (BN) fortresses of Sabah and Sarawak, and predicts that the two East Malaysian states would lead the charge in changing the country's history.

Speaking to a small but highly-charged crowd at the Pesta Borneo programme in the PKNS Sports Complex, the PR de facto leader explained that he was reassured of this when he visited Limbang and Lawas in Sarawak last week.

“Now, I am absolutely confident that the history of Malaysia will change because of the people of Sabah and Sarawak.

“We have had our independence for more than 50 years and now, we will change... change for justice, for human rights, for respect. You will determine the history of Malaysia,” he said.

His words were met with thunderous applause from the crowd of East Malaysian youths, one of whom even stood up on his chair to lead the crowd to louder cheers.

“Malaysia is a land of justice. Men and women here were born free. So we must be able to accept and respect each of our differences and honour the constitutional guarantee of freedom and justice for all Malaysians,” he said.

Anwar noted that during his trip last week, his observation of the people in Sarawak showed him that East Malaysians badly yearned for change.

“There is a very encouraging trend now in Sabah and Sarawak. There is a greater awareness there... contrary to the media interpretation.

“There are people there who actually want change and justice and they want to defend their rights to their land. If this is the trend, then Sabah and Sarawak will determine the future of the nation,” he said.

Anwar urged the youths to ensure that they counted themselves in the equation, pointing out that they would be the ones responsible for the nation's future.

“So please... be counted. We have a responsibility. We fight not because we harbour grudges, not because we want to steal the land of others but because we want the rights to our own.

“We do not steal the rights of others but we fight for our own. This is a very important beginning and we will persevere until we see a united, just Malaysia,” he said.

Anwar's romantic words worked wonders in the crowd and although small in numbers, their cheers filled the hall like they were thousands.

Outside the function later, Anwar said he was confident the PR had done its job well and right in Sabah and Sarawak.

“I am very confident that we will do very well (in the Sarawak elections). We are working the ground and I see all.. the Dayaks, the Malays, Chinese, everyone working hard together,” he said.

He noted that PR's preparations for the impending Sarawak polls were on track and announced that a major function would be held this September 15 in Sabah.

courtesy of Malaysian Insider