A motley group of representatives from three political parties traded barbs at a debate organised by Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) yesterday, but came to terms that more needs to be done to secure and improve Sarawak's rights within the federation.

The trio were PKR’s Ba’Kelalan assemblyperson Baru Bian, SUPP Pelawan secretary-general Michael Tiang Ming Tee and Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDS Baru) deputy president of Patrick Uren. PBDS Baru is a Dayak-based party registered in 2013.

All three leaders said that Sarawak needed to operate within the framework of the Federal Constitution, as opposed to secession, and that oil royalties for Sarawak should be increased from the current five percent to 20 percent.

However, the group sparred over how this should be accomplished.

Baru, the state PKR chief, said only by voting the opposition into power could Sarawak's autonomy be improved.

"You must change the federal and state governments together, then you will have a consistent manifesto and policies. You change the process via the next general elections. It's simple," Baru told an audience of about 500 people.

However, Tiang, a Sibu-based lawyer, said the 1963 Malaysia Agreement only allows state governments to negotiate with Putrajaya.

"BN is likely to be the next government, but whoever is the next government, the people just need to stand behind that government to continue to get back what is ours."

Tiang said Chief Minister Adenan Satem already showed that BN is serious about standing up for Sarawak rights.

Adenan could play it safe and curry favour with the electorate by being a 'Santa Claus' until he steps down five years later, he said.

"No. He did not choose that path. He chose the path that requires great courage, that is to safeguard Sarawak.

“Why did he chose that path? He knows that this generation requires the next to fight for (Sarawak's) rights He is for real. He is the captain for Sarawak," said Tiang.

'State's records show it can do more'

However, Patrick disagreed and said the state government’s track record shows it could do more.

"The state government has a two-thirds majority and yet when it comes to discussing the oil royalty, Adenan, with (Prime Minister) Najib (Abdul) Razak beside him, said he would have to put the issue on the backburner because the price of petrol is low," said Patrick, referring Najib's visit to Sarawak on April 1.

This despite the Sarawak state assembly having unanimously passed a resolution in 2014, calling for an increase of its oil royalty entitlement.

"Because BN Sarawak is subservient to BN Putrajaya, everything has therefore to to wait for the PM's blessing before anything is done," Patrick said.

He added that groups outside of the government are able to contribute to protecting Sarawak's interest.

PBDS Baru has no elected representatives, and is composed of former members of the now defunct PBDS after a leadership tussle that resulted in its de-registration in 2003. Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), a splinter group formed in 2004, is currently the state BN's second largest Dayak-based party.

Sparks flew after Tiang defended SUPP when an audience member questioned the component party’s ability to contribute after losing most of its seats in the last election, and if it is not allocated the 19 seats it traditionally contests at state level.

'We became so poor'

Tiang said SUPP had fought for Sarawak rights when the federal government declared a national emergency after the 1963 racial riots.

"After they paralysed us, they started taking our petroleum, they started taking all our rights. We became so poor and they became so strong.

“If BN already sold off Sarawak, why is SUPP talking to you, not MCA? Why is our CM from PBB not Umno? Sabah's gate is open, it's too late for them. Today our gate is so tight, our opposition says it's too tight. Too strict."

"You said SUPP is too weak, too weak, too weak, (so) why don't you support it? If you want DAP to be the next government to deal with Najib, support DAP to be the next government," Tiang said.

He also ticked off Patrick, who accused SUPP of being divided and of “harbouring communists” under former president Ong Kee Hui.

“You said previously that you don't need to fight from within. You said you can fight (for Sarawak's rights) from the outside. I totally agree with you. PBDS, please stay outside,” Tiang said.

Tiang is SUPP's preferred choice for Pelawan, but the state BN leadership has yet to allot the seat. Tiang left DAP in 2005.

DAP did not join the debate, fearing a crackdown by the authorities using the Peaceful Assembly Act, which requires 10 days notice of a public gathering.

State DAP leader Chong Chieng Jen told reporters yesterday he would probably be charged for attending the event, as happened in the Bersih 4 rally last year in Kuching.

"In Bersih 4, the organiser was not charged. What is even worse, the organiser, Peter John Jaban ( photo ), is the crown witness, the prosecution witness, to introduce evidence against me.

“This says a lot about the person's character and integrity. If I were to attend, I would probably be charged and he would probably also be the prosecution witness against me," said Chong.

Peter John, in his introduction during the debate, denied S4S was funded by the ruling state government and said that all its money was raised through the public.

"Some even try to boycott our debate. Nobody can boycott us. They want to come, they come. They don't want to come, they are 'kiasu', as the Chinese say," Peter John said.

S4S said 300,000 people have signed its petition for more autonomy in Sarawak.

Peter John once worked as an announcer for Radio Free Sarawak , an affiliation of Sarawak Report .

DAP controls 12 seats, SUPP six and PKR three. PBB, the largest component controls 35 of 71 seats. Eleven new state seats have been added. The Sarawak State Assembly is expected to be dissolved today .