With YB Violet Yong, YB Lim Kit Siang, YB Fong Kui Lun and Mr. Ting Ling Kiew from SNAP
DAP presenting a souvenir to SNAP Deputy President, Mr. Ting Ling Kiew
to foster closer relationship
Salam Sejahtera dan Selamat Datang kepada semua para hadirin sekalian........
My opening address was in the National Language because I accord great respect to the Language and malay culture, but, not all Sarawakians have good command of the language.
Always serious in delivering speech. Sarawak helped formed Malaysia and should be accorded equal partnership, that was what our forefathers said................., but,.......... see my speech below
The man who always gave headache to BN government! Lim Kit Siang is his name!
Our National Party Treasurer, YB Fong Kui Lun.
Seeking donation for the cause of Sdr. Chong Chieng Jen in fighting the might of a dissatisfied voter who filed an Election Petition against Sdr. Chong Chieng Jen.
DAP Choir Group in Action!
When Tunku Abdul Rahman on 27 July 1963 while in Singapore, wanted to form Malaysia, Sarawak was one of the territory that Tunku had in his mind, so was the state of North Borneo, which is now, Sabah. Both states were very rich in natural resources. Sarawak got a gold mine, unexplored vast lands, huge virgin forests and timberlands. It was also a land famous for its hornbills. Likewise, was North Borneo at that time was equally rich in natural resources. Tunku could know that Sarawak had oil in Miri at that time. On top of these, it was believed that the coastal shelves of both states also have oil and gas, our most prized natural resources.
The important question we need to ask is, “ Why Tunku Abdul Rahman wanted Sarawak and North Borneo to be part of his Malaysia Plan?” Was it because of our rich natural resources or was it because Malaya wanted to help develop North Borneo and Sarawak, who were very undeveloped and backward British territories in this region. Sarawakians and Sabahans must be reminded that we did not join Malaysia, but, we helped formed Malaysia. This is because if we were said “joined Malaysia” then, we rightly could be said junior partners in Malaysia and we if we think so, then, we are surrendering our rights of “equal partnership” and could invite discrimination from UMNO and the federal government led by UMNO. Sarawak and Sabah should not always “kow-tow” to UMNO and federal government! We have our rights, pride and dignity!
In what ever thinking, differences of opinion and happenings at that time, we formed Malaysia on 16 September, 1963 and helped Malaysia to prosper and stabilized the political and security situation in this region. We were supposed to be treated equal and that was, at least the promise, of our Malaysian forefathers who also included that from UMNO. After Malaysia was formed, we Sarawakians and Sabahans, as our culture dictates us, were always an obliging lot, obedient and subservient to the federal leaders and UMNO in the name of nation building and unity. When UMNO and their leaders said something we never opposed, because, UMNO in which we understood was that, “You Must Not Oppose”.
Not only that, under the Malaysia Agreement, we should be allowed to review the so-called “20-Points Agreement” for East Malaysia. This was supposed to be done in 1973, but, we did not have a proper review of this right, which, I personally feel, should be by way of a referendum, to involve each and every adult Sarawakian and Sabahan.
But unfortunately when, Nigkan, became our Sarawak first chief minister on 22 July, 1963, Ningkan was a very disobedient servant of the federal government. Ningkan was unceremoniously removed because Tun Razak, who at that time the Prime Minister and UMNO, boss flexed the federal muscle, wanted Ningkan removed by citing Article 7 of the State Constitution and this led to a constitutional crisis in Sarawak, because Ningkan not only opposed UMNO’s dominating policies over Sarawak, but, because we were not treated as equal and that there were also policies not suitable to Sarawak.
The important question we need to ask is, “ Why Tunku Abdul Rahman wanted Sarawak and North Borneo to be part of his Malaysia Plan?” Was it because of our rich natural resources or was it because Malaya wanted to help develop North Borneo and Sarawak, who were very undeveloped and backward British territories in this region. Sarawakians and Sabahans must be reminded that we did not join Malaysia, but, we helped formed Malaysia. This is because if we were said “joined Malaysia” then, we rightly could be said junior partners in Malaysia and we if we think so, then, we are surrendering our rights of “equal partnership” and could invite discrimination from UMNO and the federal government led by UMNO. Sarawak and Sabah should not always “kow-tow” to UMNO and federal government! We have our rights, pride and dignity!
In what ever thinking, differences of opinion and happenings at that time, we formed Malaysia on 16 September, 1963 and helped Malaysia to prosper and stabilized the political and security situation in this region. We were supposed to be treated equal and that was, at least the promise, of our Malaysian forefathers who also included that from UMNO. After Malaysia was formed, we Sarawakians and Sabahans, as our culture dictates us, were always an obliging lot, obedient and subservient to the federal leaders and UMNO in the name of nation building and unity. When UMNO and their leaders said something we never opposed, because, UMNO in which we understood was that, “You Must Not Oppose”.
Not only that, under the Malaysia Agreement, we should be allowed to review the so-called “20-Points Agreement” for East Malaysia. This was supposed to be done in 1973, but, we did not have a proper review of this right, which, I personally feel, should be by way of a referendum, to involve each and every adult Sarawakian and Sabahan.
But unfortunately when, Nigkan, became our Sarawak first chief minister on 22 July, 1963, Ningkan was a very disobedient servant of the federal government. Ningkan was unceremoniously removed because Tun Razak, who at that time the Prime Minister and UMNO, boss flexed the federal muscle, wanted Ningkan removed by citing Article 7 of the State Constitution and this led to a constitutional crisis in Sarawak, because Ningkan not only opposed UMNO’s dominating policies over Sarawak, but, because we were not treated as equal and that there were also policies not suitable to Sarawak.
In a Dewan Rakyat sitting at that time, a political leader in Sarawak was heard to say, “How alarming it is to find the extent to which UMNO in Kuala Lumpur would go – to even topple the [Ningkan] government headed by an Iban who happened to hold non-racial views……….. is Sarawak a colony…….in Malaysia? (the full text of this politician’s speech was published in the Sarawak Tribune on 31 May 1963).
We need now examine what that politician said in parliament, “…is Sarawak a colony……..in Malaysia?”
Sarawak helped Malaysia to develop and was always behind the federal government in whatever crisis the nation was facing. When the alliance government led by UMNO did not have the two-thirds majority in Parliament to amend the Federal Constitution, a Sarawak political party on 11 February, 1977 came to its rescue by joining the federal government with five of its Members of Parliament. With this, the federal government hurriedly amended the Federal Constitution which effectively sealed the mouths of Malaysians to speak on issues considered sensitive, such as grants for scholarships, permits or licences, reservation of places in the public service and citizenship rights granted to immigrants and the control of or reservation of educational opportunities in educational institutions.What a treatment we received from UMNO-led federal government? The Federal Constitution is a sacred document, where our rights and protection are spelt out. Be it known to Sarawakians, that Article 161A of the Federal Constitution does no give native status to Ibans and Bidayuhs in Sarawak, although some indigenous races were included in the said Article 161A of the Federal Constitution. We must understand that ibans and bidayuhs are also dayaks of Sarawak, but, was it because of the voice of Ningkan, who was an uncompromising Iban that made Ibans and Bidayuhs inconspicuous in our Constitution?
We in the DAP believed in multi-racialism and this Federal Constitution should accord ibans and bidayuhs a proper place. Read with our Sarawak state Interpretation Ordinance, I could not, but, correct me if I am wrong, find the races called land dayaks and sea dayaks in Sarawak. So this was that much our federal leaders know about Sarawak and could not know the wishes of Sarawak people. UMNO and federal government leaders should not assume that we still lived on the trees! Now, I hereby call our iban and bidayuh friends and all other natives in Sarawak, to wake up and fight for your rights which had been overdue. It is time now that a dayak, being the largest race in Sarawak, takes the chief ministership of Sarawak, to correct the flaws of the government and to give better focus to the dayak cause. If there is no dayak wanting to take the challenge, it is also time that a malay takes the chief ministership of Sarawak.
45 years after Sarawak helped formed Malaysia, there is yet a malay who became a chief minister of Sarawak. Are the malays here ‘second class’ malays in Malaysia? The malay language is our national language and although most Sarawakians speak the language, not all have good command of the national language. Since the malay language is our national language, the Sarawak malay language should also be allowed in our civil service, not only in the Dewan Undangan Negri. We could not deny that many non-malays could speak and could communicate well in local malay language, but, not in the national language, that is the national malay language. If we have a malay chief minister, maybe the dream of a better communication and use of the local malay language could be a reality. It is something that we Sarawakians should be proud of.
Not only that, when the UMNO-led federal government had wanted to control our oil, Sabah and Sarawak, we also gave into their demand. With the control of Parliament, the federal government then passed the Petroleum Development Act 1974, which saw almost all oil and gas revenues went to the federal government and Sabah and Sarawak until now, could only got a paltry 5% of the royalty back. So, Sabah and Sarawak not only gave them oil, but, also gave them oil money. We had been deprived for too long of our resources.
To BN MPs from Sabah and Sarawak, for the sake of the people of Sabah and Sarawak, it is time that you should be changing boat and jump to the Opposition to see a fairer deal for Sabah and Sarawak. You had done enough damage to Sabah and Sarawak by prolonging your stay in the BN government, and it is time that you think for a better Sabah and a better Sarawak. People of Sabah and Sarawak are already impatient and will judge you in the next election. If you want to test their intelligence, don’t play money politics to win their votes. Be gentleman and fight clean! God will reward you!
With the oil and gas money from Sabah and Sarawak, West Malaysia had become a rapidly developed part of Malaysia, with huge international airports, federal complexes, smooth fast lane highways, public universities and hospitals with state-of-art life saving equipments and facilities. Oil and gas from Sabah and Sarawak also helped their factories and cars moving, leaving Sabah and Sarawak still very much backward states with still too many places inaccessible by roads, but, by airplanes and helicopters as if all Sabahans and Sarawakians are millionaires!While Malaysia prospered steadily since Malaysia was formed, which also saw West Malaysia enjoyed many cheaper goods, but, Sabah and Sarawak was let to enjoy goods at prices very much expensive than in West Malaysia, because Parliament, controlled by UMNO did not give a thought to have a National Pricing Act. We can earn the same amount of money our brother West Malaysian may earn in West Malaysia, but, the earnings of Sabahans and Sarawakians have no purchasing power.
In longhouses and rural areas, the poor malays, chinese and natives were just hoping that God would be kind enough to them that they not fall sick, otherwise, if sick, the only fast mode to hospitals are by helicopters! Wah! Helicopters! How to afford this when most of those in the rural areas could not even afford generators for their electricity!Talking about electricity, I have Bakun, in mind. To further speed up the pace of development in West Malaysia and to realize Vision 2020, the federal government wanted Bakun be sped up so that West Malaysia would benefit from the power supply from Bakun. A mammoth dam had been built and progressing well, but, if one day God wants this Bakun dam to break or earthquake like in China in Szechuan to happen, many people in Sarawak will die and their families, friends and relatives will live their lives in sorrow in the remembrance of the dead. The federal government may just send aids and some help, but, no amount of money can buy back the sorrows of Sarawakians if this were to happen.
Therefore, when West Malaysia wanted electricity power, we also agree to supply them through Bakun, but, they have Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), which is, a very much bigger and powerful electricity supplier than in Sarawak. Why the UMNO-led federal government did not want to build their own Bakun and with the expertise and resources Tenaga Nasional Bhd has, supply power to Sarawak and our brother state, Sabah? If they are scared that the dam may one day collapse by the will of God, then, Sarawak people also do have that fear. Why push the fear to Sarawakians?
We now have too many West Malaysian businessmen and companies came here to seek prosperity and wealth in Sarawak when Sarawak companies and businessmen had already found the goings tough. When the Rajahs and the British were in Sarawak, economic resources in Sarawak were colonial properties, but, now what happened to our resources and opportunities with the influx of West Malaysians grabbing business opportunities and competing with Sarawakians? Sarawakians, may one day may not be able to control their own resources. What natural resources and business had Sarawakians controlled in West Malaysia. The same situation now also applies to Sabah, and the influx of too many West Malaysian companies and businessmen had deprived jobs from much needed for Sabahans. In the civil service, sons of the soils of Sarawak could find too many “expatriates” coming up and down the lifts of Bangunan Sultan Iskandar! We need them, but, not too many and most of these “expatriates” could not understand the local people well, which in turn, caused many things not done properly to the satisfaction of the local people.
Now, when the nation is facing food and rice shortage, it is to Sarawak that Malaysia has to turn to – plant padi and other food crops, but, who will plant? Sarawakians to plant the padi or people from West Malaysia to plant? If West Malaysians and their companies come here to plant, land be given to them or just leased out? If huge chunks of Sarawak lands be given to West Malaysians, this again, will deprive Sarawakians of their natural property and Sarawakians will find themselves squeeze out.
Now, when the nation is facing food and rice shortage, it is to Sarawak that Malaysia has to turn to – plant padi and other food crops, but, who will plant? Sarawakians to plant the padi or people from West Malaysia to plant? If West Malaysians and their companies come here to plant, land be given to them or just leased out? If huge chunks of Sarawak lands be given to West Malaysians, this again, will deprive Sarawakians of their natural property and Sarawakians will find themselves squeeze out.
Most of our lands which are suitable for huge padi plantations which are near to civilization are native lands. Being not titled land, the natives in Sarawak will find it difficult to stamp their rights on and natives may find themselves in endless woos with the authorities and companies when their lands be encroached for these developments and up-coming padi plantations.
When our national carrier was in trouble, sick with debts, the federal government also had to come to Sarawak for rescue. In Sarawak, the federal government discovered in the highlands of Borneo in Baram, the “gem”, Idris Jala, to revive the fortune of the Malaysia Airline System (MAS), who, prior to that many complained as, “Mana Ada Sistem (MAS)? Now, we can proudly say, “Malaysia Ada Sarawak!”. That is, when in trouble, Malaysia has Sarawak to look forward for help!.So, Malaysia, when you are in trouble, Sarawak is always behind you, but, are we a colony state? Please answer us!
When our national carrier was in trouble, sick with debts, the federal government also had to come to Sarawak for rescue. In Sarawak, the federal government discovered in the highlands of Borneo in Baram, the “gem”, Idris Jala, to revive the fortune of the Malaysia Airline System (MAS), who, prior to that many complained as, “Mana Ada Sistem (MAS)? Now, we can proudly say, “Malaysia Ada Sarawak!”. That is, when in trouble, Malaysia has Sarawak to look forward for help!.So, Malaysia, when you are in trouble, Sarawak is always behind you, but, are we a colony state? Please answer us!
To Sarawakians, we need to understand, DAP was brought in by Sdr. Chong Siew Chiang and a few others, because, they could see the evils that would befall Sarawak since 1978. They had this vision and a mission to fulfill. The DAP federal leaders also could see this to happen in Sabah and Sarawak, and we all know, when we were already in one nation and in Malaysia, there was no way we could get out of Malaysia. DAP federal leaders also had this vision and had wanted Sarawak and Sabah to enjoy equal partnership in Malaysia. They love us Sarawakians and Sabahans, as they see “One Malaysia, One Nation” and not something we used to have heard called, “East Malaysia and West Malaysia”. We believed in Malaysia and will stay in Malaysia, but, I say, we don’t want to be mistreated as second class states within Malaysia, This was the reason why DAP federal leaders gave the blessing to have DAP set foot in Sarawak in 1978 and also in Sabah. This was because DAP led by Sdr. Chong Siew Chiang also knew that there could not be any other political parties that could save Sarawak from the onslaught of unfair policies against Sarawakians by UMNO led federal government. This was because Sdr. Chong Siew Chiang and DAP federal leaders could at that time see political parties in Sarawak, could only know to blindly support UMNO-led BN government and will forget the rights of Sarawakians.
SUPP was the party which joined the UMNO-led Alliance government in 1971 which gave the UMNO-led Alliance government the much needed two-thirds majority that caused UMNO to hurriedly amend the Federal Constitution, thus, depriving many issues affecting not only Sabah and Sarawak, but, Malaysia as a whole, be voiced out openly as they could be considered sensitive and invite ISA and OSA. Their joining of UMNO led-federal government was the start of the change of political scenario to become what it is today and if any political party is to be blamed, then, there is no reason why SUPP could be singled out. Sabah and Sarawak became weak on negotiation table and SUPP's participation as a component member of the government also saw the rise of UMNO arrogance and dominance in Malaysian politics, a strategy which SUPP should regret.
Many thereon after the Federal Constitution was amended, were afraid to voice out the grievances faced by Sabahans and Sarawakians. Many Sabahans and Sarawakians are confused and Sarawakians wondered if Sarawak is a colony? This is a perception that we should all correct. The DAP federal leaders did not want this misconception and this was why DAP was allowed to be launched in Sarawak in 1978.
Now, the public sentiment is that can we displace UMNO-led BN government with a Pakatan Rakyat government so that the many wrong policies affecting the people of Sabah and Sarawak also our beloved nation could be put right?
I have to tell them, we want that to happen, but, this may not happen too soon. We missed the political Tsunami of March 8, 2006!
This is because with many things and political issues affecting the nation, not only in Sabah and Sarawak, we better prepare for an emergency rule. This is because it is unprecedented for the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Musa Hassan, to voice out seeking help from the army to quell any civil unrest which could spark by recent political situation or development in the country. We should not now have a 6-day joint military-police exercise as if the nation is anticipating an emergency. This had created some uneasiness with the people of Malaysia. The call by the IGP and the joint military-police exercise showed that the Royal Malaysian Police with the title, “Royal” awarded by the King for its effort in maintaining security and for fighting insurgencies had no confidence in managing the security of the nation. Why need the army?
SUPP was the party which joined the UMNO-led Alliance government in 1971 which gave the UMNO-led Alliance government the much needed two-thirds majority that caused UMNO to hurriedly amend the Federal Constitution, thus, depriving many issues affecting not only Sabah and Sarawak, but, Malaysia as a whole, be voiced out openly as they could be considered sensitive and invite ISA and OSA. Their joining of UMNO led-federal government was the start of the change of political scenario to become what it is today and if any political party is to be blamed, then, there is no reason why SUPP could be singled out. Sabah and Sarawak became weak on negotiation table and SUPP's participation as a component member of the government also saw the rise of UMNO arrogance and dominance in Malaysian politics, a strategy which SUPP should regret.
Many thereon after the Federal Constitution was amended, were afraid to voice out the grievances faced by Sabahans and Sarawakians. Many Sabahans and Sarawakians are confused and Sarawakians wondered if Sarawak is a colony? This is a perception that we should all correct. The DAP federal leaders did not want this misconception and this was why DAP was allowed to be launched in Sarawak in 1978.
Now, the public sentiment is that can we displace UMNO-led BN government with a Pakatan Rakyat government so that the many wrong policies affecting the people of Sabah and Sarawak also our beloved nation could be put right?
I have to tell them, we want that to happen, but, this may not happen too soon. We missed the political Tsunami of March 8, 2006!
This is because with many things and political issues affecting the nation, not only in Sabah and Sarawak, we better prepare for an emergency rule. This is because it is unprecedented for the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Musa Hassan, to voice out seeking help from the army to quell any civil unrest which could spark by recent political situation or development in the country. We should not now have a 6-day joint military-police exercise as if the nation is anticipating an emergency. This had created some uneasiness with the people of Malaysia. The call by the IGP and the joint military-police exercise showed that the Royal Malaysian Police with the title, “Royal” awarded by the King for its effort in maintaining security and for fighting insurgencies had no confidence in managing the security of the nation. Why need the army?
The many happenings in the nation, which included the incapability of the country to control the “legal” immigrant situation in Sabah and Sarawak, the allegations against DPM Najib’s affairs with Altuntuya and the submarine purchase, the case against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the allegations against the Attorney-General and the IGP and the late Moktar Abdullah, the recent suspension of trading in the KL stock market exchange, the erosion of public confidence in the judiciary, law enforcement agencies such as the Royal Malaysia Police and the Anti-Corruption Agency, the recent increase of oil affecting prices of goods and business, and the increasing ground dissatisfactions of Sabahans and Sarawakians against federal policies are enough for the army to make excuses to cause a coup detat and place this beloved Malaysia in emergency rule. I hope the Army may not have this thought at all.
Tan Sri Musa Hassan, Najib and those involved in the allegations of mismanagement of the country should not make further noise through the press. They should take leave from their duties and a Royal Commission should be set up and not ACA to investigate the allegations hurled against them. Criminal acts, such as obstruction of justice and tampering of evidence could have occurred and these are not simple case of corruption and abuse of power alone in which ACA should not be a body that could be seen independent in their tasks as ACA has to report the investigation to the Attorney-General and the Prime Minister.
Malaysia, we pray God save you! To, Sabah and Sarawak, may God protect us with no earthquakes to destroy our Bakun Dam later on and no more deprivation of our rights and natural resources and may the UMNO-led federal government give us what are ours and give us what are due to us. To Sarawakians and Sabahans, in DAP we shall survive! In Pakatan Rakyat we will see Malaysia progress!
No comments:
Post a Comment