Why did GPS vote against the interest of Sarawak?

By P Ramakrishnan

Ramakrishnan said, “GPS has lost its right to claim to be championing Sarawak. It did not stand up for Sarawak when it mattered most...”

GPS has plenty of explaining to do. Whatever that explanation might be, it cannot justify its role in not standing up for the interest of Sarawak.

Its inexplicable stand was a betrayal of Sarawak’s interest. It had two opportunities to stand up for Sarawak and defend its right, but on both occasions it failed miserably by deliberately voting against Sarawak’s interests.

According to Lim Kit Siang, when the Barisan Nasional federal government moved amendments to reduce the status of Sabah and Sarawak from an equal partner in Malaysia to become two of the 13 states, GPS (at the time it was known as Sarawak BN) supported the BN. It was this amendment that took away the position of Sarawak as an equal entity and converted its status as a state within Malaysia. GPS was a party to this utterly sordid betrayal.

Again in 2019, when Pakatan Harapan moved to amend the constitution to restore Sarawak’s status as an equal partner as it was when it came together with Sabah to form Malaysia with Malaya, GPS voted against this move once again and let down Sarawak terribly.

By its nefarious conduct, GPS has lost its right to claim to be championing Sarawak. It did not stand up for Sarawak when it mattered most. Instead, it left the stench of sordid betrayal on the fly.

Hopefully, Sarawakians will remember these sordid betrayals and vote against GPS. Only then will there be much needed and long sought after reform and progress in Sarawak.

Sarawakians should vote for the Opposition so that the Sarawakians can lead the way for a better and safer Malaysia for all, irrespective or race and religion.

Remember, the time is always right to do the right thing!

(The views expressed are those of the contributor and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rebuilding Malaysia.)

17 December 2021