Naive to hope Harapan will help restore Sarawak autonomy - SUPP women’s wing

Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) women’s chief Kho Teck Wan says that Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto, which was launched on Mar 8, has a zero take on the devolution of power from the federal government to Sarawak.

“The ‘real deal’ should actually be in fighting for Sarawak’s autonomy through the devolution of power, so Sarawakians can decide their own destiny,” she said in a statement today.

“Complete devolution of power is the only ‘real deal’ for Sarawakians,” said Kho, adding, “I hope Sarawakians will make no mistake about this.”

She also said Sarawakians should not be distracted by Harapan’s manifesto at this time, which she said had only been made popular for the election.  

“Harapan lacks the vision and capability to fight for Sarawak. According to their manifesto, Harapan only wants 20 percent royalty on the petroleum and gas for Sarawak, but to the rest of the Sarawakians, we fight for the full devolution of power on petroleum and gas,” Kho added.

She also said DAP had failed to gain any ground despite their constant gripes regarding Sarawak’s autonomy and oil and gas ownership.

In contrast, Kho said, the government led by Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg had secured the full regulatory authority over the upstream and downstream aspects of the state’s oil and gas industry.

She also pointed out that “evidently” the devolution of power has already begun, and the setting up of Petros and the Development Bank Of Sarawak (DBOS) shows that Sarawakians have the wisdom, capability and the will to take back what is rightfully theirs.

“What is ours is ours, and we cannot rely on Malayan-based parties to fight for us. I call on Sarawakians to come together, stand behind the current leadership and fight for full autonomy as one Sarawakian.” said Kho.

“We, as Sarawakians, just can’t be satisfied with having partial rights only. It would be naive to hope that Pakatan Harapan component parties with their Malayan leaders and members will help restore Sarawak’s autonomies,” she said.

A ‘bogus’ ploy

Yesterday at a press conference in SUPP’s Kuching headquarters, youth chief Michael Tiang said Harapan’s manifesto is nothing more than a “bogus” ploy bordering on “lip service”.

Tiang said Harapan’s manifesto has promised only two terms for the prime minister, menteris besar and chief ministers if the coalition comes into power.

He said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali have already completed two terms and are now going for their third term.

“If they are sincere, they must declare now, before GE14, that they will not stay on for another term if Harapan comes to power.

“Will Lim Guan Eng and Azmin step down if Harapan retains Penang and Selangor respectively?” he asked.

“That is why, I say their manifesto is bogus,” he added.

“In their manifesto thay also said they will continue with BR1M (People’s Aid 1Malaysia). But when BR1M was launched by Prime Minister Najib Razak, they said the country will go bankrupt and claimed that this special aid to the rakyat was nothing more than ‘sweet candies’ to bribe voters.   

“Now they are saying they will continue with BR1M if they form a new government. Are these promises genuine?” he asked. -Mkini