Hot off its win in the Sibu by-election last weekend, DAP Sarawak ( below ) has issued a manifesto called “Sarawak for Change - The Sibu Declaration” that was adopted by the party's state committee today.

            

NONE The declaration put forth nine areas of focus covering a spectrum of issues, from poverty to land reforms.

Calling the “Sibu miracle” an awakening for Sarawak, the declaration attacked Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, whose family “practically has complete power over the state’s entire economic and political activities.”

“Enough is enough. Let’s chart a new future for Sarawak and Malaysia,” the declaration reads.

The main points raised in the declaration were:

1. Good governance = no more Taib

bn supreme council mt meeting sapp sabah issue 190608 taib mahmud “Taib’s family through Cahaya Mata Sarawak (CMS) and other crony companies control the most lucrative contracts and businesses, impoverishing the rakyat while making life difficult for small businesses.”

Stressing that Taib ( right ) will have been in office for three decades by next year, the declaration promises good governance, adding, “It’s time that we take the mandate back from Taib and herald a new era of reform and rejuvenation for Sarawak.”

2. Equal partnership

The party promises equal partnership in political coalition and in federal-state relations. They contrast Sarawak BN whose “sole purpose ... is to prop up Taib’s empire. Nationally, resource-rich Sarawak has been given a raw deal.”

3. CAT governance

The DAP promises belief in the principles of ‘Competency, Accountability and Transparency’ (CAT) governance.

“We listen and engage with all citizens, not just those with the money. Less corruption means more for everyone. Sarawak is rich.

"By having open tender to all government procurements, timber extraction licenses and alienation of state lands for commercial and plantation purposes, all Sarawakians will be richer.”

4. Senior citizens’ bonus

“When DAP and Pakatan Rakyat become the Government of Sarawak, all Sarawakians above 60 years of age will receive a minimum of RM400 per annum in appreciation of their contribution to the state.”

NONE 5. Hardcore poverty

The declaration promises “an annual RM 80 million allocation from the State budget will be set up to eradicate hardcore poverty in Sarawak.”

6. Education

The DAP also promises “all schools regardless of background will be given allocations according to needs as practised in Penang, Selangor and Kelantan,” should they take over the state government.

7. Oil royalty

“Pakatan Rakyat National Common Policy Platform commits to provide Sarawak 20 percent in oil royalties from Petronas, instead of the current 5 percent, if Pakatan Rakyat wins federal power.”

8. Land reform

It also promises, should Pakatan assume state government, “all NCR land will be surveyed and titles (communal and individual) issued while all expiring leases will be unconditionally renewed. With lands accessible to the people and not cronies, we believe that the great economic potential of Sarawak will be unleashed.”

9. Investing in the future

The final declaration vows to pay “serious attention” to the flood problems in the state, as well as invest in “human capital and infrastructure,” promising free WiFi to “move Sarawak into a knowledge state.”