The Silence of Sarawak’s Shepherds Pt.2 - GPS/PN And MA63
When Dr. Mahathir Mohamad was sworn in as a prime minister of the Pakatan Harapan government (PH) and as the 7th prime minister of Malaysia on the 10th May 2018, it marked the beginning of what was supposed to be very exciting times. Hopes were high (tinggi Harapan) that Malaysia was finally entering into a period of enlightment, justice and prosperity for all. They lasted for 22 months. On the 24th Feb 2020 they were shown the exit via the front door through which they enter and that was the end of the tinggi Harapan thingy. In come the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government, via the backdoor.
But it is not the chronology of the change in government or the chess games and the horse trading during that period that I want to talk about. What I want to reminisce on in this article is the performance of GPS lawmakers, both in parliament and in the DUN during the 22 months that PH was government. Personally, I will sum their performances in one word : Superb. Truly I feel very nostalgic when I recall the words of their lawmakers during that period.
Here I would like to list down some of the words uttered by some of GPS lawmakers as they go about ‘defending’ Sarawak’s rights which are enshrined in the the MA63.
CM Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari
“Let me state, although we approved the intention to amend Article 1(2) in principle, no approval was given in respect of the amendment in its current form….This was because the committee never discussed the actual contents and wording of the amendment”. He spoke those words in relation to the amendment bill to change Article 1 (2) to restore rights of Sabah and Sarawak as per the MA63. The bill was met objections from opposition MPs, including from GPS, which is in power in Sarawak ( Malaysiakini dated 6th Apr 2019)
DCM Tan Sri James Masing
“All parties from both political divides in Sarawak should join forces to gain the ‘full-house’ support to get better deals for greater autonomy under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63)….If we could get a full house, there is nothing that (federal) side can say. Then when it comes to negotiation, regardless of whatever happens (on) the other side, we’re very strong. So whether it’s the angel or the devil looking after the other side, at least we’re together. Fight us – you try.” (Borneo Post dated 20th Feb 2018)
Dato Seri Dr. Sim Khui Hian, President Of SUPP
“The Bill tabled in Parliament to amend Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution is totally unacceptable to Sarawak ….We view the Bill as another failure of the Pakatan Harapan government to honour the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63)….In fact, Pakatan has just committed another U-turn on their election promise to return Sabah and Sarawak’s status accorded in MA63," he said in a statement on Thursday” (The Star dated 4th Apr 2019)
Dato’ Sri Dr. Wan Junaidi - MP for Santubong
“People in Sabah and Sarawak can give up hopes about having more rights and continuous development if they are ruled by the opposition….Dr Mahathir could simply regard MA63 as “history” and irrelevant if Pakatan governed the country” (NST dated 8th Apr 2018)
Regaining Sarawak’s rights has nothing to do with politics, but simply reclaiming the genuine rights of the state as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63)….Sarawak is not demanding more than what we have agreed to in the MA63 and the Federal Constitution….(federal government) to repeal all the laws, regulations and procedures that have eroded much of Sarawak’s rights.(SarawakVoice dated 21st May 2019)
Alexander Nanta Linggi - MP for Kapit
“MA63, oil and gas are priority, not cabinet posts: GPS sec-gen”…3rd Mar 2020
https://dayakdaily.com/gps-we-will-continue-to-fight-for-sarawaks-rights/
…dated 22nd May 2020
Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri - MP for Batong Sadong
“MPs in Sarawak and Sabah want to have a look at the draft of the proposed amendment to Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution before it is tabled in Parliament….there is no need to rush the amendment through if it requires further changes from what has been proposed originally….the proposed amendment to the article would restore the status of the two states as equal partners with Peninsular Malaysia in the Malaysian federation” FMT 31st Mar 2019
“Sarawak welcomes move to set up select committee on MA63….A PSC will be established in a bid to return the rights of Sarawak and Sabah as enshrined in MA63” Borneo Post dated 22nd Apr 2019
"We did not oppose the amendment, but we did not vote for the provisions that they put in because for the sake of Sarawak we wanted 'pursuant to the Malaysia Agreement 1963' to be there” 14th Jan 2020
Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah - ADUN for Asajaya
https://dayakdaily.com/peninsular-malaysian-leaders-ignorance-on-ma63-is-perplexing-abdul-karim/
dated 3rd Nov 2018
“called for the Bill to amend Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution to be given to MPs before its tabling in Parliament….Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar said it would only support amendments that contained substantive improvements to Sarawak's rights and interests and were not merely for window dressing” The Star dated 3rd Apr 2019
In local malay dolok rindok hati baca kata kata sidak iya pok. Kinek tok, bunyi batuk yg dilepas ditepi tangga pun sik ada.
Now, after GPS together with their partner PAS facilitated the formation of the Perikatan Nasional government, there is only deathly silence on Sarawak’s rights and the MA63. It is as if MA63 has become a dirty word in their circle. I am sad. I truly miss those days when GPS were in the opposition in parliament and when the GPS state government was such a bold opposition when it comes to dealing with federal government.
To all Sarawakians, I extend this invitation: Let us together make GPS the opposition coalition again. Let us bring back those good days.
No comments:
Post a Comment