‘Not just Umno, keep PKR, PAS out too’

KUCHING: If Sarawak DAP wants Umno stopped from entering the state then they should do likewise with PKR and PAS, said its local rival Sarawak United Peoples Party (SUPP).

“It is interesting that while Sarawak DAP had called for a motion to be tabled (at the State Legislative Assembly) to stop Umno from entering Sarawak, its leaders did not mention even a word relating to the radical PAS and PKR, which are both West Malaysia based opposition parties.

“If YB Chong (Chieng Jen) was serious in keeping the West Malaysian parties out of Sarawak, then he should include PAS and PKR in his ‘kick out’ list as well, or else, the people of Sarawak are hardly convinced,”  said SUPP Youth chief Tan Kai.

Tan Kai also asked Chong, who is state DAP chairman and other leaders to quit peninsular backed DAP and form a new party .

He said this is “so that they are no longer controlled by their  Malayan (DAP) leaders in ensuring that the interests and rights of Sarawakian people are better safeguarded and upheld.”

He was responding to Chong’s call to state BN parties to cooperate and work with Pakatan to keep Umno from expanding its influence.

Chong had thrown his support behind Chief Minister Taib Mahmud’s earlier reminder to state BN elected representatives to protect Sarawak and “keep Sarawak for Sarawakians”.

Following Taib’s reminder, Umno vice-presidents Shafie Apdal and Zahid Hamidi had respectively assured Sarawakians that Umno will not come into the state.

“Since our nation gained its independence over half a century ago, Sarawak BN component parties have spared no effort in safeguarding the interests and special rights granted to the state of Sarawak and its people by upholding the spirits of 18-point agreement.

“Furthermore, Sarawak BN which comprised of four component parties, has all this while, effectively vindicated the interests of our people as well as the autonomy of the state’s administration.

Umno not wanted in Sarawak

He also added that SUPP, since the day it was formed, had given much importance on having political parties that were formed and administered by Sarawakians.

“At the same time, SUPP also stands strongly and firmly against any form of political linkages with extreme parties that promote theocratic politics,” Tan Kai said.

Yesterday, Chong  called for the formalisation of an agreed understanding among Sarawak’s BN component parties to keep Umno out of Sarawak, saying that such a political agreement had to be formalised despite several public statements made by leaders including Taib.

“The fact that Umno is not wanted in Sarawak has long been in existence.

“I have been suspended from the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) because of the simple reason that I likened (Datuk Amar) Abang Johari (Tun Openg) to Umno politicians, saying that the minister acts like an Umno politician,” Chong was reported to have said in a media statement.

“At least, it is now openly admitted by Sarawak BN leaders that Umno is not welcomed in Sarawak, and Umno leaders (both Shafie Apdal and Home Minister Zahid Hamidi are vice presidents of Umno) have also openly stated that Umno will not encroach into Sarawak politics.

“However, words of mouth and comments in media by ministers have no force of law.

“If Sarawak Barisan Nasional is serious about keeping Umno out of Sarawak, this is the most opportune time to have such a motion tabled in Sarawak DUN,” said the Bandar Kuching MP.

Chong also called for a special DUN sitting to be summoned to have such a motion tabled and subsequently passed for the benefit of Sarawakians.