BAU, Nov 16 — Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg today told national coalitions that they must know what to do for Sarawak if they wish to work with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to form the next federal government after the 15th general election (GE15).
He said he is aware that all the national coalitions had shown an interest in collaborating, but GPS had yet to make a decision.
“That is why GPS must win big in the general election so it can send a strong voice to Parliament to speak on our rights as spelt out in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report,” said the GPS chairman at the Sarawakku Sayang programme in Siniawan, near here.
“What I am stressing here is that our party must be strong for the future interest of Malaysia.
“It is true that we have 31 seats, but it is not enough to form the federal government. That is why I said whoever wants to work with Sarawak must know what they want to do for Sarawak.”
Abang Johari said while GPS has succeeded in pushing for the amendments to Article 1(2) and 160D(2) of the Federal Constitution to be passed in Parliament, there are others that need to be pursued.
“We want the state Public Works Department (JKR) to be recognised as a technical department to be entrusted with carrying out federal-funded projects in Sarawak, instead of the federal JKR.
“We also want the state Rural Water Supply Department and state Drainage and Irrigation Department to be recognised as technical departments that will be entrusted to implement federal-funded projects.
“We also want our Head of State to have the power to appoint judicial commissioners of the High Court in Sarawak,” the premier said, adding that this power was removed when the Federal Constitution was amended many years ago.
“Whoever is the candidate for the judicial commissioner, they must be vetted by Sarawak first, which must also have the power to approve the appointment.”
Abang Johari said the right to vet and approve the appointment should not have been removed from the Federal Constitution.
He said Sarawak must defend its rights as enshrined in MA63 and the Federal Constitution.
“I will not compromise on this issue,” he added.
Abang Johari warned peninsular Malaysian politicians to not bring their Malayan culture to the state.
He said Sarawak is peaceful because the locals respect the culture and religions of the various communities in the state.
