Kelvin Yii: GPS is tricking voters that PAS extremism won't affect Sarawak

 

SARAWAK POLLS | Dr Kelvin Yii, DAP's candidate for Batu Kawah, has fired a broadside at the state's ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), saying that it is misleading voters that extremist policies proposed by parties like PAS will not affect those in the East Malaysian state.

"GPS cannot continue to trick voters and continue to be naïve to think that the extreme policies influenced by PAS and Umno will not have any effect in Sarawak or affect us Sarawakians, including the recent nationwide regulations on requiring alcohol licences for business establishments such as coffee shops and restaurants selling beer.

"While it is welcome that the Sarawak government chose to exert their autonomy under the Sarawak Local Authority Ordinance to not follow such regulations if GPS continues to empower the influence of PAS and Umno in the government, we will continue to see more and more of such negative influence on our country and Sarawak," said Yii in a statement today.

Yii, who is also Bandar Kuching MP, said there was no previous enforcement of a regulation requiring alcohol licences for business establishments such as coffee shops and restaurants selling beer.

"This shouldn’t have even been an issue and the state government will not have been put in a position to decide whether or not to implement such regulations.

"But now we have seen more and more of such influence, especially since PAS has come into power due to the support of Umno and GPS after they betrayed the people’s mandate during the Sheraton Move.

"While it may not apply in Sarawak, it will be ignorant to think that it does not affect us Sarawakians as there are about 250,000 Sarawakians currently living in West Malaysia, and many of them are business owners as well affected by such regulations. Are we not going to speak for them and fight for their rights also?" he said.

Kelvin Yii

Yii's sentiments echo those of Sabahans who were stunned to see PAS state secretary Aliakbar Gulasan appointed as an assemblyperson after the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition won last year's state election.

There is also concern that the party has a hold on religious affairs as it holds both the minister and deputy minister’s positions through Idris Ahmad and Ahmad Marzuk Shaary, respectively.

Yii is facing GPS candidate Sim Kui Hian, PBK man Chai Kueh Khun and Aspirasi's Fong Pau Teck in a four-cornered fight in Batu Kawan.

"Interracial tolerance is something that is important in Malaysia, but every day, we see more and more of such policies attempting to control the lifestyle of non-Muslims.

"What we really need is a government that is more open to understanding the cultural differences in Malaysia’s multiracial and multi-religious society.

"That is why, while I acknowledge that GPS have a significant upper hand in this state elections, if they are allowed to win significantly and be strengthened even more, what we will see is a direct endorsement of these policies which will directly strengthen the government of PAS, Umno and GPS," he said.

Yii predicted that this would result in more and more such policies on a national level infiltrating important issues such as education, which will have a significant impact on the future of Sarawak.

"By strengthening the need for a stronger opposition and check and balance even in the Sarawak state assembly, there will then be greater protection and pushbacks against such extremism not just in Sarawak, but also nationwide.

"This will also put greater checks on the federal level as they will then think twice and not dare to simply introduce policies such as this which will affect us all," he said. - FMT