With Bersatu in S'wak, Putrajaya must take state's interests into account
Sarawak Pakatan Harapan chairperson Chong Chieng Jen said yesterday that with the entry of Bersatu into Sarawak, Putrajaya must now take the interests of the state into consideration.
Chong pointed out that Bersatu divisions in the state will be led by Sarawakians to ensure that local needs are taken care of.
"Now that Bersatu is coming in (into Sarawak), Bersatu divisions in the state need the support of Sarawakians...
Sarawak Pakatan Harapan chairperson Chong Chieng Jen said yesterday that with the entry of Bersatu into Sarawak, Putrajaya must now take the interests of the state into consideration.
Chong pointed out that Bersatu divisions in the state will be led by Sarawakians to ensure that local needs are taken care of.
"Now that Bersatu is coming in (into Sarawak), Bersatu divisions in the state need the support of Sarawakians.
"I think Bersatu will pose a threat to BN, now Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), and especially Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
"I think there will a breakthrough in the (GPS) strongholds within the state, and that's why they are getting very jittery," he told Malaysiakini at the launch of the state chapter last night.
When still part of BN, the parties under the current GPS won a whopping 72 out of 82 seats in the 2016 state election.
Former chief minister Adenan Satem was widely seen as the main factor for the success of pushing for greater autonomy for the state.
BN neglected Sarawak in the past
Training his guns on GPS, Chong opined that the previous BN administration was free to pass laws and policies without taking into consideration the interests of the people.
"In the past, Umno was not in Sarawak, and they (GPS) were free to pass and implement any policies, as they were the big brother in BN.
"Whatever they decide will go through, that's in the BN structure, they don't need Sarawak," he added.
According to Chong, it is absolutely naive to say the laws previously passed by BN would not affect Sarawak, despite Umno having no formal presence in the state.
Xenophobic tone
When asked about the growing xenophobia towards Peninsular Malaysia, Chong explained that such concerns have been raised previously.
The deputy minister of trade and consumer development said that the anti-Malaya sentiment stemmed from the 55-year rule of BN.
He admitted that such strong sentiments exist in the state because Sarawakians felt that they were neglected by GPS when they were part of BN.
"To tell people that since they are out of BN and known as GPS now (and because of that) they are now champions for Sarawak... I think that is very wishful thinking.
"Given recent political developments, there is a chance of a change of government in Sarawak," he said when asked about facing the upcoming state election slated to be held by 2021 at the latest.
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