KUCHING: The 19 Barisan Na­sional ( BN) par­lia­men­tar­i­ans will be given funds by the state gov­ern­ment to en­able them im­ple­ment devel­op­ment projects and also run the ser­vice cen­tres in their re­spec­tive con­stituen­cies.

       This is con­firmed by Chief Min­is­ter Datuk Pat­inggi Abang Jo­hari Tun Openg, who is also BN Sarawak chair­man.
     “Just like the assem­bly­men, each of them will be given the same amount of an­nual al­lo­ca­tion,” he told re­porters after the launch of Sarawak State Mosques Wel­fare Trust Board ( LAKMNS) ’ s e- ceme­tery web at Masjid Jamek here yes­ter­day.

      Ac­cord­ing to Abang Jo­hari, ev­ery BN MP would re­ceive an an­nual al­lo­ca­tion of RM1 mil­lion for the mi­nor ru­ral project (MRP) grant, and RM5 mil­lion for the ru­ral trans­for­ma­tion pro­gramme (RTP) grant, from the state gov­ern­ment.

       It is also an­nounced that each par­lia­men­tar­ian would also re­ceive an al­lo­ca­tion of RM250,000 per year from the state gov­ern­ment for them to man­age their re­spec­tive ser­vice cen­tres.

The state BN gov­ern­ment has de­cided to give out the funds to its Just like the assem­bly­men, each of them will be given the same amount of an­nual al­lo­ca­tion.

Datuk Pat­inggi Abang Jo­hari Tun Openg, Chief Min­is­ter and BN Sarawak chair­man

MPs in view of them be­ing in the op­po­si­tion at fed­eral level; thus, they might be de­prived of fed­eral fund­ing. The fed­eral Pakatan Hara­pan (PH)led gov­ern­ment has yet to make any de­ci­sion on the al­lo­ca­tion for the op­po­si­tion MPs; dur­ing the BN rule, the op­po­si­tion MPs and assem­bly­men were not given any al­lo­ca­tion.
       The an­nounce­ment by Abang Jo­hari was met with ap­proval and re­lief by sev­eral BN MPs in the state who were con­tacted by The Bor­neo Post yes­ter­day.

       “It is in­deed a wise move by Chief Min­is­ter Datuk Pat­inggi Abang Jo­hari Tun Openg to pro­vide the nec­es­sary fund­ing for our con­stituents, who are mostly ru­ral peo­ple. The fund­ing will def­i­nitely ease the bur­den of the 19 BN MPs in Sarawak, for them to serve the peo­ple,” said BN sec­re­tary-gen­eral Datuk Alexan­der Nanta Linggi.
        He also ex­pressed his hope that the present fed­eral gov­ern­ment would con­tinue to as­sist in the devel­op­ment of the ru­ral ar­eas in Sarawak, de­spite the state’s sta­tus now in the op­po­si­tion.

        Nanta – the for­mer deputy min­is­ter of ru­ral and re­gional devel­op­ment – pointed out that un­der the BN-led fed­eral gov­ern­ment, the states un­der the op­po­si­tion also re­ceived as­sis­tance when­ever the needs arose.
     “Nor­mally, the funds were chan­nelled either to the district of­fices or to the vil­lage security and devel­op­ment com­mit­tees (JKKKs) upon the ap­proval of their re­quests. So, there was never any dis­crim­i­na­tion against any op­po­si­tion state then,” said Nanta.

       He dis­closed that un­der the BN-led fed­eral gov­ern­ment, a BN back­bencher was al­lo­cated with RM6 mil­lion worth of ‘ Peo­ple-Friendly Projects’ ( PMR) fund, RM1.5 mil­lion for spe­cial projects, RM400,000 as emer­gency fund and an ad­di­tional RM100,000 for the ser­vice cen­tre.
“On top of that, each MP could seek fi­nan­cial as­sis­tance from spe­cific min­istries for spe­cific usae.  Like in my case be­fore, my (then) min­istry could ap­prove fund­ing for var­i­ous needs of the long­houses folk, such as vil­lage drainage and roof­ing for long­houses,” he said.
        For­mer Nat­u­ral Re­sources and En­vi­ron­men­tal min­is­ter Datuk Seri Dr Wan Ju­naidi Tuanku Jaa­far said the min­istry had al­lo­cated funds to the pre­vi­ously op­po­si­tion-led states such as Pe­nang, Se­lan­gor and Ke­lan­tan, when the coun­try was un­der BN ad­min­is­tra­tion.

“We hope that the PH-led gov­ern­ment would be fair to the peo­ple, es­pe­cially those liv­ing in the ru­ral ar­eas. Crit­i­cal projects should con­tinue and be im­ple­mented for the ben­e­fit of the peo­ple. Crit­i­cal projects such as drainage and street light­ings should not be stopped or hin­dered due to the change in ad­min­is­tra­tion.
“While we can’t com­ment on the PH-led fed­eral gov­ern­ment, at least our state gov­ern­ment has given the as­sur­ance that crit­i­cal projects will go on,” he stressed.
         Mean­while, Se­rian MP Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem said the fi­nan­cial as­sis­tance from the state gov­ern­ment would en­sure that those who sup­ported BN in the 14th gen­eral elec­tion would con­tinue to ben­e­fit from devel­op­ment projects.
“Each MP from ru­ral Sarawak, like my con­stituency Se­rian, looks after a large area. So, we need the fund­ing for the ben­e­fit of the peo­ple.   As an op­po­si­tion state now, it’s a wise de­ci­sion by the chief min­is­ter to al­lo­cate fund­ing for the BN MPs in Sarawak,” added Riot – the for­mer fed­eral hu­man re­sources min­is­ter.

“Each MP from ru­ral Sarawak, like my con­stituency Se­rian, looks after a large area. So, we need the fund­ing for the ben­e­fit of the peo­ple.  As an op­po­si­tion state now, it’s a wise de­ci­sion by the chief min­is­ter to al­lo­cate fund­ing for the BN MPs in Sarawak,” added Riot – the for­mer fed­eral hu­man re­sources min­is­ter.
       Pe­tra Jaya MP Datuk Seri Fadil­lah Yu­sof; Tourism, Arts, Cul­ture, Youth and Sports Min­is­ter Datuk Ab­dul Karim Rah­man Hamzah; As­sis­tant Min­is­ter of Ru­ral Elec­tric­ity Dr Ab­dul Rah­man Ju­naidi; De­mak Laut as­sem­bly­man Dr Ha­z­land Abang Hipni; Kuching North Datuk Ban­dar Datuk Abang Ab­dul Wa­hap Abang Ju­lai; Sarawak Is­lamic Coun­cil pres­i­dent Datu Misnu Taha; and LAKMNS hon­orary sec­re­tary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Bu­jang Nor wit­nessed the launch yes­ter­day and also joined the dis­tri­bu­tion of ‘ Bubur Masja- Sa’ – a savoury por­ridge usu­ally pre­pared dur­ing Ra­madan – at the state mosque later on.

The Borneo Post

19 May 2018

My comments:
I hope that everyone in each of the constituencies help one another to check how much allocation funds out of RM 1 million (MRP) + 5 million RTP for each constituency have been used accordingly and accountably.  Everybody should be prepared to ask to countercheck for accountability and transparency for the allocation funds just to make sure that the said funds are not embezzled.

theborneopost.com

‘PH Sarawak to focus on restoring state’s rights under MA63’

May 20, 2018, Sunday

     MIRI: Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak will focus on restoring the state’s rightful position built on the basis of immutable rights enshrined within Malaysia Agreement of 1963 (MA63) and the Federal Constitution of Malaysia.
      PH Sarawak secretary and state Democratic Action Party (DAP) secretary Alan Ling said: “The fact remains that it was the former Barisan Nasional government which amended the constitution making Sabah and Sarawak the 12th and 13th states.”
       Speaking for PH Sarawak, Ling said: “Our task is to restore Sarawak its original status as well as to commit to the devolution of powers in term of trade and commerce, taxation, education, sport, civil service, health, social security, infrastructure development, oil and gas and tourism among others.
       “Within 100 days, a special cabinet committee consisting of representatives from Peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak will be set up to enforce the rights under MA63 and to report the findings and its recommendation for effective implementation to the cabinet within six months,” he added.
Meanwhile, moving forward the coalition shall be using its common logo
    ‘ HARAPAN’ for united political identification especially in the event of elections.  The soonest PH will be using the common logo to contest will be the next state election due in 2021 which can be called earlier.
      “I believe PH will further strengthen the organisational structures and coordination to have a more organised framework and efficient platform to formulate communication and better working relations amongst its component
 parties,” Ling said.

My Comments:

Chong receives brickbats for saying talk on devolution of power off
KUCHING: Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen has been slammed for declaring that the deal to restore the state’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is off because the state government did not sign PH’s New Deal Agreement offered before the recent election.
Many made their feelings known through postings and comments on Facebook, pointing out PH made “decentralisation of power to Sabah and Sarawak”  one of its 60 promises under its manifesto.
The Buku Harapan pledged that within the first 100 days of PH in government, it would fulfil 10 promises, including setting up a special cabinet committee to properly enforce MA63.
Many pointed out PH is now obliged to honour the promises instead of making Sarawak’s rights under MA63 a political tool.
Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Bawang Assan chairman Robert Lau Hui Yew said he was flabbergasted by Chong’s stand.
“These rights are enshrined in an international agreement, MA63, and signed by sovereign countries, not by DAP (Democratic Action Party).
“Just because Sarawak CM (Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg) did not play ball with you during your election campaign it does not give you any better claim of ownership of the rights for Sarawak under MA63 apart from an ordinary citizen of Sarawak. It is not a political goody to be dished out during the election.
“I can only conclude the MP for Stampin (Chong) has already sold his allegiance to his political master in Malaya,” wrote Robert.
Netizen ‘Juhiun Yu’ commented that Chong should do his job and fulfil the promises made by PH, stressing that now is the time for Chong and his PH comrades to fight for the rights of  Sarawak under MA63 since PH is the federal government.
Facebook user ‘Bradley John’ said Sarawak’s rights are not something which can be made as an offer between parties, while ‘Jasper Chong’ agreed that MA63 is an international treaty – not something PH can offer or take away.
‘Philip Makis’ urged Chong to rethink his actions since the PH manifesto already made promises on devolution and as such there was no need to sign any agreement.
‘Andy Sik Sern Yew’ also slammed Chong saying, “Remember it’s one of your campaign promises. You have explaining to do to the people of Sarawak not simply saying because the state government did not acknowledge and sign the deal.”
‘Kevin Lau’ urged Chong to ensure the federal government returns Sarawak’s rights under the MA63, pointing out Chong is now part of the PH government
“Do it for Sarawakians instead of making it a deal for bargaining,” he commented.
‘Elna Boka’ said it was unwise of Chong to keep pointing fingers at the state government and urged other PH elected representatives to stop such “nonsense”.
‘Riq Dharfizi’ commented since MA63 is beyond partisan politics, the rights enshrined within the agreement belong to people and the state.
Meanwhile, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Batu Kawah said in a press release that it received feedback from the grassroots, who were disappointed with Chong for having misled Sarawakians.
It cited Kampung Sinar Budi resident Hamidon Bustaman, who said Chong’s promise of autonomy for Sarawak in education and healthcare if PH formed the federal government was just a sweet promise made during the election.
“As a Stampin voter and a Sarawakian I am totally disgusted. Our rights under MA63 are not for anyone to deal with,” he said.
Hamzah Idi from Kampung Haji Baki said it seemed Chong wished to “hijack” negotiations between the federal and state governments regarding Sarawak’s rights under MA63.

My comments:
       Sarawak belongs to every Sarawakian.  Chong should learn his lesson for taking MA63 as a deal.  The way he behaved is just like those BN leaders to lure people to support BN with the promise of development.  So, no doubt, he has been condemned for his misbehaviour.

theborneopost.com

Baru Bian confident Sarawak, Sabah will not be left out of PH federal cabinet

KUCHING: State Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) chairman Baru Bian believes that leaders from Sarawak and Sabah would not be left out when it comes to the appointment of federal ministers by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
       According to Baru, there are still 11 ministerial posts that have yet to be announced by the premier.
       In this regard, he believes that Pakatan Harapan (PH) leadership has the wisdom to ‘remember both the eastern states’.
“They should and would remember Sarawak and Sabah – this is very clear in our manifesto where we recognise MA63 (Malaysia Agreement 1963).  Even Tun Mahathir himself has talked about the equality of Sarawak and Sabah in the formation of Malaysia,” Baru told reporters after chairing PKR Sarawak’s first meeting after the 14th general election (GE14) at the party’s headquarters here yesterday.
      Adding on, he stressed that PH leaders would base their decisions on the PH manifesto – giving him confidence that Sarawak and Sabah would ‘not be left out’.
       Baru, who is Selangau MP, also pointed out that the prime minister had the prerogative to pick and choose his cabinet.
    “So far, we do recognise and respect those who have been appointed. Some have very distinguished experience and backgrounds. That we must accept and respect.”
       On another note, Baru said the meeting revolved around the direction and future of PKR Sarawak in view of a new PH government.
       He said among the things discussed were for the party to strengthen their branches and rope in more new members – an exercise to be headed by Puncak Borneo MP Willie Mongin.
       This, Baru added, would be vital as PKR expects that the state election would be held before the end of its term.
     “I think it is very logical – if given time, people would see the changes brought forth by PH as the federal government.   There will be a vast difference as to how PH governs the country.”
       Baru said the promises that have been or are being fulfilled include the zero-per cent rate of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the stability of the nation’s petrol prices – the PH pledge to be realised within its 100 days of ruling Putrajaya.
    “I am very confident that given time, people would be convinced that what we have promised would be delivered; and for that reason, I think people would shift their confidence towards PH,” he added.

My comments:
       I hope that Baru Bian will learn not to get stuck to his old, old mindset thinking that Sarawak and Sabah elected representatives in the so-called 'National election' which actually is only meant for the 11 states in Peninsular Malaya should be in the same cabinet.  Sarawak and Sabah are the equal partners to Malaya.  Dr M the PM, also recognises the fact.  That cabinet is not suitable for Sarawak and Sabah elected representatives unless he still think that Sarawak and Sabah are just states on par with the other 11 states in Peninsular Malaya.
      Is it not ridiculous to think like that?
      I think that a brand new cabinet should set up wholly for the 3 countries: Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya. 

Tweets 21/52018 看完这信息后的联想

Tweets    21/52018  看完这信息后的联想

        9亚庇19日讯）[联邦内阁以西马为主] （杨德利： 依旧漠视沙砂）

        杨德利还是在旧框框里自我打转 。 还是很BN霸权的思维。 现在是希盟时代。Dr。M也亲口认同沙砂和西马是伙伴国的关系。 西马11州入的阁是马来亚联邦国的阁。 沙砂和西马应该是入另一阁。绝对不是同一阁。所以请沙砂两邦国的子民务必多敲敲脑多思考多了解。

        他们以西马自己为先，100%没有错。但是我们砂沙两邦肯定在这一方面要多向西马看齐。 我们也好的思考如何也处处都以沙砂为先。不要随意卖卖卖卖。。。。自己的主权。我们既然是伙伴国，我们怎么都那么想入西马11州那一阁。为什么？ 为什么不是建议设立另一阁平行平坐谈沙砂西马3邦如何合作win-win而不是[自甘情愿]为[州]。 以我观察，那些有官位的官爷，只恨沙砂不是[州]。

        过往PBB/人联/。。。。是本地政党，但是都是UMNO-BN上身。所以一切作业很UMNO。所以UMNO人有没有在砂罗越，他们的精神无所不在处处都在。

        记住，别入错阁。入不入阁真的都不重要。最重要的是沙砂两邦国的主权。 我们的天然资源和土地我们自己自主。我们可以比文莱国更富裕.  我们要预防再一次被马来亚政府霸权。

        我希望GE14 所谓的国选是我们沙砂两邦国最后一次的游戏。这是很危险和违宪的游戏。 西马11州的国选。我们砂罗越应该就只有一次邦国选举。沙巴也是。 我们不必参加西马11州国选。

theborneopost.com

It’s over, says Chong of devolution of power

Jacob Achoi, reporters@theborneopost.com

May 17, 2018, Thursday

Chong (centre) with Dr Yii on the left and Wong, holding the May 17 and 18 public holiday declaration which was received by the Education Department at 4.20pm on May 15.

KUCHING: The deal to restore the rights of Sarawak under Malaysia Agreement 1963 which was offered by Pakatan Harapan (PH) to the state is now off because the state government refused to sign a deal proposed by PH before GE14.
This was disclosed by State Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Chong Chieng Jen yesterday who said the ‘New Deal’ offered to the state government which included 20 per cent oil royalty, autonomy over education and health to the state if PH were to form the next federal government was handed over to the state government just before the GE14.
“To hand over the devolution of power, the recipient (the state government) needs to sign, and because they did not sign, so the deal is off,” Chong told a press conference at the DAP headquarters here.
Other offers in the ‘New Deal’ are 50 per cent of all tax collected in Sarawak be given to state government as revenue to undertake education and health, restoration of Sarawak to one of the three territories instead of one of the 13 territories and devolution of power in commence and trade.
Earlier Chong expressed disappointment over the state Barisan Nasional (BN) government’s decision to disallow schools to conduct classes on May 17 and 18.
He opined that the decision was ridiculous and a vengeful act after losing the just-concluded 14th general election (GE14).
Chong said he met representatives of state Education Department on May 15, and was given an understanding that individual schools could apply to have classes conducted on May 17 and 18, which had been declared public holiday by the state government.
“But a few hours later (about 4.20pm), the officers received directive from the state government insisting and advising that schools should not write in to conduct classes, but to close down…this is ridiculous, and it only shows immaturity and small heartedness of the state government.
“This is typical politicising an education matter and along the way people suffer (students suffer and teachers suffer) because of the way the state BN government handles this matter, insisting that schools must be closed on May 17 and 18.”
Chong, who is also Kota Sentosa assemblyman and state DAP chairman, pointed out that kindergartens were also affected by the directive.

What do you think of this story?

• Angry (67%)
• Nothing (20%)
• Great (6%)
• Interesting (3%)
• Sad (3%)
•  
•  

theborneopost.com

PH to go by the book

Rintos Mail, reporters@theborneopost.com

See showing the Buku Harapan, which contains the pillar and promises PH offered to all Malaysians.

        KUCHING: Pakatan Harapan (PH) will strictly follow its Buku Harapan when it comes to restoring the rights of Sarawak.
       State Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice chairman See Chee How said every promise made to Sabah and Sarawak by PH was clearly written in the book.
    “You talk about the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), you talk about the autonomous power, you talk about the devolution of power, it is all there. Buku Harapan contains the pillar and the promises that we have offered to all Malaysians if we win the general election.
     “We have won and therefore, I have no doubt on the PH government in fulfilling all its promises, including the devolution of powers to Sarawak,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
      See said on the inception of PH on January 6, 2016, the partners in PH had already made the promises that it would recognise the status of Sabah and Sarawak as accorded in the MA63, which, he stressed, was already a principle for the formation of PH.
    “Then, when we made Buku Harapan we have five pillars and 10 promises in 100 days, 60 promises in five years and other special pledges. For us in Sarawak the important pillar is the return of Sabah and Sarawak to the status accorded in Malaysia Agreement 1963.
    “Under the promises, we are to set a Special Cabinet Committee to properly enforce the MA63 within the first 100 days,” he said.
      See said the committee will consist of representatives from the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak, who have expertise in relevant matters. The cabinet committee, he added, would be mandated to look into all the autonomous power of Sarawak; how to devolve power and all related matters.
      Then within six months, the committee will report back to the cabinet on how things are to be implemented, he said further.
       See noted that when PH talks of devolution, the whole system must be there – the legislative, administrative and fiscal.
     “Barisan Nasional (BN) is talking just about administrative.  If you want the administrative power you must be given the money. If no money, how are you going to run the state?
     “But the devolution of power that PH is talking about is legislative, administrative and fiscal,” he said. On state PH chairman Chong Chieng Jen’s statement that the devolution of power to the state government was off, See said he was not sure in what context he (Chong) was talking as he was not in the press conference.
     “But my understanding is he proposed and went to the Chief Minister’s Office to submit the proposal.   CM refused to accept the proposal and it was not signed.
“That is another thing.   But if you are talking about devolution of power, my explanation is Sarawak’s right would be granted according to our (PH) manifesto,” he said.
       See pointed out that there are many ways on how devolution can be done; it could be the Scotland-UK manner or the Ireland manner of doing it.
     “I think the cabinet committee will deliberate from there and find out the best way to do it.
     “Of course, for it to materialise we need the cooperation from the government of the day, which runs the state and manages the state,” he said.

What do you think of this story?

• Great (82%)
• Interesting (8%)
• Nothing (5%)
• Angry (3%)
• Sad (2%)