應公開MA63檢討報告 黃首詠：砂人有知情權 （詩巫23日訊）留華砂總總會長黃首詠醫生批國盟政府將1963 年《馬來西亞協議》（MA63）的最終檢討報告列為機密文件是嚴重侵犯砂拉越和沙巴人民的知情權。 “知情權是基本人權之一，也是公民的基本政治權益，任何公民都享有知道國家的活動及了解國家事務的權力。他對現任政府的舉動感到失望且不會認同，促政府透明處理並公開報告內容。” 他今日發文告指出，身為公民也是國家的納稅人，有權知曉所有會影響我們生活的政策制定和內容，國盟不應該把報告以機密為由掩蓋起來，反之應該透明執政以消除社會疑慮。 他說，公開報告可以帶來更大的辯論空間，甚至政府應該公開向公眾和專家收集對這份報告的意見，讓全民參與討論如何讓國家繼續前進，這是讓參組馬來西亞的三邦共同往前發展的方法。 勿國家安全作擋箭牌 他強調，政府是作為人民代表在履行國家事務，原則上其決定和行動應當是透明的，向公民及社會公開內容，是民主政治的重要方面。一個民主國家，主權應該是在人民手中， “但是，身為砂沙公民，我們竟然無權知道政府到底以砂沙人民的名義做了哪些事情和決策。我們要了解檢討報告是因為我們享有這個知情權，並有權力監督政府的政策。部長和議員們只是受人民的委托而暫時行使政治權力，應該是要維護人民的意願，而不是濫用權力，與民意背道而馳。在這課題上，怎麼就不敢還政於民？” 他指，1946年聯合國大會已經將知情權列為基本人權之一，聯合國人權專家也闡明各國不能以‘國家安全’，和‘公共秩序’為擋箭牌來剝奪民眾對重要議題的知情權。我國在2017年落選聯合國人權理事會，這清楚表明國際社會對於我國近年的人權狀況是持不樂觀的態度。 “大馬是聯合國的成員國，理應遵守有關人權準則。公民知情權不會危害國家安全，唯有作為一個追求和尊重人權的國家，我國才會在國際社會中真正得到他國的尊重。” 促修改官方機密法令 他亦批評政府有必要修改現有的官方機密法令以符合國際標準，而不是濫用此機密法令來隱瞞真相。在現有的國家機密法令下，任何文件只要被政府視為是機密就不能公開，法庭亦無權限去檢視政府的決定，這是我國政府的慣常做法，公民難以獲取信息以參與國家的決策。 他說，民選政府要盡可能縮小機密法令的限制範圍，而不是無限大的擴大機密文件範圍。多年來，民間都有許多聲音要求政府修改《1972 年官方機密法令》，同時盡速擬定《知情權法令》或《資訊自由法》，以平衡資訊透明和保密原則。 他表示，在特殊情況下國家有保密的需要，但公民享有知情權是基本人權，政府需要認同人民的知情權不一定會危害國家的安全。 知情權淩駕機密法 “這二者中，知情權法是淩駕於機密法令之上的。”他說，政策和法令的基本任務是維護人民的基本人權，促請政府聽取民意，也呼籲砂拉越民眾關心此議題，避免公民權益一再被剝奪。 版权所有 © 2020 诗华资讯网

Mycomments

华总，中华总商会，还有各社团领袖们应该向留华砂总总会长黄首咏看齐，不平则鸣，不任人鱼肉。 缩头缩尾非做领袖的规范。 这么重要关键时刻，这些领袖怎么允许自己不吭一声。 MA63谈判结果却被列为机密文件，这是非常严重打压砂沙人民的事。 这简直是高官们特意以不正当的勾结手段有意欺骗砂沙人民。 把MA63谈判结果列为机密文件分明是高官之间狼狈为奸，想继续掠夺和剥削砂沙人民的权益。

 

theborneopost.com

‘Sarawakians have right to know outcome of MA63 talks’

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Dr Wong shows a copy of the Malaysia Act 1963 document.

SIBU: Chairman of Sarawak China Graduates Alumni Association, Dr Wong Siu Eing, said East Malaysians have the right to know the report on the discussion of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government on matters relating to MA63.

In a press statement yesterday, he said keeping the matters secret violate the rights of the people of Sarawak and Sabah who had direct interest on the matter.

He said the right to know is their basic human rights and the right of being Malaysian citizens.

“East Malaysians were disappointed when they learnt that the PN government will keep the MA63 discussion outcome secret.

“I hereby call on the PN government to be transparent in this matter.”

Dr Wong added that the people are the country’s tax payers, and they have the right to know the government’s policies and actions that affect them.

“The PN government should not classify the report as official secret; instead, they should be transparent.

“The report will give the people and the experts an opportunity to express their views on matters of national interests, and the government should consider their views seriously.

“Only through this, the nation can progress with the participation of the people.

“In this light, it is important that the three equal partners (of Malaysia) – Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah – progress together.”

He said the government should represent the people, and therefore, such related matters should be executed in a transparent manner.

“In a democratic country, the power is in the hands of the people.

“But, as the people of Sarawak and Sabah, we have been deprived of the right to know the decisions that have been made on their behalf.

“We want to have a picture on the matter because we need to know and because we have the right to know.

He added: “We have the right to supervise the government’s policies. The ministers and the people’s representatives are only executing the duties on their behalf.”

He said they should execute the will of the people and not abuse the power given to them by the people.

“Why shouldn’t they give back the power to the people?”

He said in 1946, the United Nations had listed the people’s right to know as a basic human right.

“It has spelt out that they cannot use the excuses of public order and national security to keep matters from the people. It clearly spells out the people’s right to know.”

He said Malaysia is a member of the United Nations.

“They should observe matters relating to human rights.”

Only through such practice, Malaysia would be respected by other countries, he added, while pointing out that the rights of the people to know would not threaten national security.

 

 

Mycomments on Bill to define ‘resident’ in Sarawak Constitution passed in DUN - Borneo Post Online

 Whether this Bill amendment is for the best interest of Sarawakians or not, time will tell everything.  Getting the majority support of the said Bill is nothing to boast about for the BN-GPS government as the representatives from the same coalition are expected to act in accord and dance to the same tune.  These YBs have been habituated and conditioned to act so. 

That’s why I see that the BN-GPS government should be flushed out for good as it has stayed in power for far too long –à 50+7 years/half a century+7 years.  I think that they have thought that they are legitimated by birth or privilege to be the masters of DUN, not knowing that they are doomed.  The 12^th PRN will reveal the truth.   I doubt if these YBs always acting in accord to any Bills presented to them, so said to the best interest of Sarawakians still in DUN after the PRN 12^th election

        The victory of these YBs now for the said Bill, does it mean that they will enjoy the same victory in the PRN12 election? 

        It is imprudent, rude and rough to present the difficult Bill to be debated without proper preparation for other members knowing that it needs an depth study to understand it (Article 16, clause 2 (1)(c)). 

        Ambiguity of any nature should be removed to avoid the backfire.  Many Sarawakians, I believe, are confused with the definition of Sarawakians --  [the second part of the Bill, which seeks to amend the expression “resident in the State” in Article 16 clause 2(1) (c) of the Sarawak Constitution.]   It is no doubt confusing to laymen.  And why should it be passed in such a hurry without being suspicious of some ulterior motives by many Sarawakians?

        Do you still bluff it to be the victory of the BN-GPS government to have passed the Bill in that imprudent, rude and rough manners without being scorned and scoffed at by the public?

                Saying that the opposition members’ “sole intention was to run down the bill regardless.” may not be true as many Sarawakians share the same opinions as they. 

So said “They misled the DUN and those outside after only looking at the first part of the bill without trying to look deeper.  It is indeed very uncivilised, aggressive and arrogant of Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, to condemn the opposition members (Frankly speaking, I am not the supporter of them.) in that regard without giving them enough time for the indepth study and yet expecting them “to look deeper“.  Which field of logic is it, I wonder?

“--he is normally resident in the State; or a citizen, though not born in the State, whose parents or either of them was born in the State and he is normally resident in the State.”

If the ambiguity is to be done in court, only the plaintiff/prosecutor who brings this Bill to be judged wins all because the Malayan judges are always judge all. 

For the adverb of frequently, “normally” is to be put at the place in the sentence to avoid confusion.   It should be placed –--“ … normally, he is the resident in the State  – before the clause.  An adverb of frequently which does not modify verb at all might be taken as an adverb of manners which modify “verb” only. 

There are, no doubt, anomalies need time to be clarified with enough time given, not in haste.

                                                        Belinda Ling Moi Hung

                                                          (17^th November, 2020)

 theborneopost.com

PSB chief curious about funds going into DBOS - Borneo Post Online

KUCHING: Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh is questioning about the amount of fund from the state’s reserves that has been transferred to the Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS) following its setting-up.

He believes that the state reserves being placed into DBOS and spent on projects are the same as spending the reserves themselves.

“It then becomes an alternative funding in name, but not in form.

“We would also like the Second Minister of Finance (Deputy Chief Minister) Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah to enlighten us whether or not the money transferred into DBOS from the Reserve Fund could still be considered a part of the State Reserve Fund, as what has been explained prior,” said Wong, who is Bawang Assan assemblyman, in a statement yesterday.

Formerly a Second Finance Minister in the Sarawak Cabinet, Wong said alternative funding could normally be arranged by the State Financial Secretary’s Office, or via DBOS.

To him, one could argue that it was not alternative funding when the party (DBOS) raising funds served as ‘an arm of the Sarawak government’.

“For DBOS to raise funds, it’s no different from the state government raising funds. DBOS has little track record and it can only rely on the credit rating of Sarawak government to raise funds either through issuance of bonds or through syndicated loan arrangements with other banks.

“We must not delude ourselves thinking that DBOS is a separate entity from the Sarawak government – it is one and the same.

“Any fund expanded by DBOS is money from the Sarawak government, and there may be some from government subsidiary bodies or GLCs (government-linked companies).

“Therefore if DBOS, say, spent RM6 billion on a project, it would be money coming from the state government’s coffers. Any loan or any bond issuance by DBOS shall become a liability of the state government as DBOS is wholly-owned by the state government,” he said.

Elaborating, Wong said this would mean that the Sarawak government would be held completely responsible for any loan or bond issued by DBOS, and the Sarawak government would also be held responsible should DBOS fail to pay.

“Similarly, one may argue that if any part of the State Reserve Fund is transferred to DBOS to fund projects, the State Reserves would accordingly be reduced by the amount expanded by DBOS, because DBOS is part of the state government and not a private bank.

“Say RM6 billion from our reserves is placed on deposit with Maybank, this RM6 billion could be taken back at any time upon demand.

“But the RM6 billion in Reserve Fund placed with DBOS, which have been used to fund projects, could not be returned immediately upon demand,” he said.

Uggah, in his ministerial winding-up speech in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Friday, said the government would continue to leverage on State Alternative Funding Initiatives to complement the state’s development budget.

“This is necessary to funParti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) president Dato Sri Wong Soon Kohd major infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges; provision of water and electricity supplies; telecommunications and digital economy projects,” he was quoted as having said in the Assembly.

Mycomments:

It is good that  Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh can see the GPS coalition in different light and the problems of their management of the Reserve Fund.  If he were still in the same coalition, would he see it in that way?  

I hope that it is time for Sarawakians to assess all these political scoundrels.   We should be prepared to pull down the GPS political scoundrels one by one and bury all the Malayan parties for good.  This is the only way to put an end of the long years of colonialism and imperialism.   

PSB is widely believed to work for the arch-devil, Mahathir, who is the arch-enemy to Sarawakians in general.

針對JASA，我有不同意見 Sin Chew Daily - Metro Edition (Evening)10 Nov 2020达祖丁 Prof Tajuddin Rasdi私立大学教授

 

大马人竭力反对拨款8550万令吉重启特别事务局（JASA），该局将会在通讯部旗下，成为政府的“沟通臂膀”。公民社会认为，特别事务局不过是囯阵用来散播仇恨种子并实施分而化之手段的宣传机器。也有人认为，当中有许多人扮演者无良网军的角色，他们采取一切必要手段，甚至以越过道德界限和逃过法网来对付反对党。

但是，我与我的公民社会友人和大马人采取不同的立场，我认为希盟政府在推动改革上最大的失败是沟通上的失败。我认为我会站在这种立场，是因为我看到在Instagram，WhatsApp和YouTube上马来人正在转发的大量信息，以制造我国被行动党和非马来人占领的想法。

希盟将控制马新社（Bernama）和大马广播电视台（RTM）的通讯部交给了行动党，他们绝对没有尝试制定像样的策略来解释诸如《罗马规约》、《消除一切形式种族歧视国际公约》以及许多宗教课题，如爪夷文课题。当我问及时，行动党给了很多公务员拖后腿的借口。我问道，谁是你的智囊团，你如何克服与马来公务员之间的文化障碍？他们没有回应。我给行动党管理的部门表现打下“F”。

希盟将控制马新社（Bernama）和大马广播电视台（RTM）的通讯部交给了行动党，他们绝对没有尝试制定像样的策略来解释诸如《罗马规约》、《消除一切形式种族歧视国际公约》以及许多宗教课题，如爪夷文课题。当我问及时，行动党给了很多公务员拖后腿的借口。我问道，谁是你的智囊团，你如何克服与马来公务员之间的文化障碍？他们没有回应。我给行动党管理的部门表现打下“F”。

希盟将控制马新社（Bernama）和大马广播电视台（RTM）的通讯部交给了行动党，他们绝对没有尝试制定像样的策略来解释诸如《罗马规约》、《消除一切形式种族歧视国际公约》以及许多宗教课题，如爪夷文课题。当我问及时，行动党给了很多公务员拖后腿的借口。我问道，谁是你的智囊团，你如何克服与马来公务员之间的文化障碍？他们没有回应。我给行动党管理的部门表现打下“F”。

希盟也有慕加希，他控制着伊斯兰发展局（JAKIM）的许多宗教师（ustaz）。我写道，该部应该重新培训这群宗教师，并建立一个修补途径让他们宣扬中庸伊斯兰及反击扎基尔的极端言论。但是，慕加希出席了一场又一场的研讨会。我说，到底为了什么伊斯兰课题只在清真寺和宗教学校激辩。那里是你应该打击的地方。我给慕加希及其领导的部门表现打下“F-”。我甚至指责末沙布和诚信党是最差劲的政党，他们对马来穆斯林群体没有强大影响。

希盟也有慕加希，他控制着伊斯兰发展局（JAKIM）的许多宗教师（ustaz）。我写道，该部应该重新培训这群宗教师，并建立一个修补途径让他们宣扬中庸伊斯兰及反击扎基尔的极端言论。但是，慕加希出席了一场又一场的研讨会。我说，到底为了什么伊斯兰课题只在清真寺和宗教学校激辩。那里是你应该打击的地方。我给慕加希及其领导的部门表现打下“F-”。我甚至指责末沙布和诚信党是最差劲的政党，他们对马来穆斯林群体没有强大影响。

然后我们还有教育部，该部管理总数计50万人的所有大学教职员。这些老师和学者可以被利用成为希盟的“宣传”机器，不是通过撒谎或煽动，而是通过解释和参与。当然，修理屋顶和残旧学校并为儿童提供免费早餐是很好的做法，但当大火已经吞噬了窗帘和桌子时，你会怎么做？所有人都错失了最大的机会。

因此，有了这些无力应付和反击课题的差劲部门，你能怎么办？你该找谁？特别事务局啦！希盟应该保留该局的1000名员工，并将他们重新培训成一个有效的机器，以解释和反击散播在各处的WhatsApp极端信息和假新闻。

我熟知这个国家的公务员。我与他们一起工作了30年。他们都处在等着退休金和晋升机会的舒适区。你需要一个额外队伍，他们不是可以享有退休金的公务员，以昼夜不停的实现KPI（关键绩效指标）来确保他们继续受聘和获得奖金。你最多只需要4年时间，然后根据需要重新成立新团队。

我熟知这个国家的公务员。我与他们一起工作了30年。他们都处在等着退休金和晋升机会的舒适区。你需要一个额外队伍，他们不是可以享有退休金的公务员，以昼夜不停的实现KPI（关键绩效指标）来确保他们继续受聘和获得奖金。你最多只需要4年时间，然后根据需要重新成立新团队。

如果我们，大马人，有机会再得到一个受人民委托的政府，我们绝对需要特别事务局来为我们工作，因为假新闻和WhatsApp极端信息将再次肆虐。

囯盟政府说会好好利用特别事务局，不会再将它们当成散播谎言的宣传机器。无论如何，这些人不过是受薪员工，他们只是按照指示去做。特别事务局的最高管理层策划谎言，但员工只是

执行命令。就像《马来西亚前锋报》那样，他们的不道德领导听从不道德政客的话，制造大马社会和人民之间的紧张局势。最终谁受苦？超过1000名受薪员工被裁退。不道德领导不过就驾着他们的马赛地逃窜到另一个不道德的计划上。希盟不应该太快下判断，因此他们在“宣传”良善和正直方面面临惨败。

据通讯部指出，特别事务局将协助沟通与解释并针对许多课题制定策略，以建立社会、课题和其他事务之间的桥梁，并将我们团结在一起。我认为我们的公务员无法胜任，而开除他们是不可能的。如果特别事务局无法完成他们的工作，我们可以随时开除他们，只因为他们不是公务员。

据通讯部指出，特别事务局将协助沟通与解释并针对许多课题制定策略，以建立社会、课题和其他事务之间的桥梁，并将我们团结在一起。我认为我们的公务员无法胜任，而开除他们是不可能的。如果特别事务局无法完成他们的工作，我们可以随时开除他们，只因为他们不是公务员。

因此，我希望让特别事务局继续运作下去。即使财政预算案无法通过及囯盟垮台，我也认为这群人对下一届政府来说非常重要，以避免重演希盟政府在落实“好的宣传”方面面临惨败的错误。

 

sinchew.com.my

黄振威.一切都不是你看起来的那样

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我不是特朗普的粉丝，我对他必须撤出白宫感到非常开心。我无法忍受他的假笑、虚张声势和傲慢。他不断以自己的方式批评别人，且常常在本质上含有种族主义，总是让我们大多数人感到反感。因此，全世界都不会对他声称选票被盗感到惊讶。

在2016年总统大选中，他提出了同样的指控，宣称“在很多投票站”……大选被“不诚实的媒体”“全面操纵”。特朗普随后在一系列推文中质疑大选过程的合法性：“当然，在投票日当天或之前，发生了大规模的选举舞弊事件”。

当然，当结果对他有利时，他全心全意地接受了该结果，因为在那种情况下，大选显然没有被操纵。

现在他又来了，在没有证据的情况下指控民主党作弊。

可以预见的是，他的众多支持者会附和那些观点，当然，因为特朗普是这么说的。他的煽动性言论是危险的，但可以凝聚他的基本盘。

这篇文章的重点在于，根据CNN和其他主流媒体的报道，人们会轻易认为拜登将取得压倒性胜利。

特朗普被塑造成是个笨蛋以及，又或者是个怪物，他是一名惯性骗子、出轨的丈夫，以及与俄罗斯合作的总统等等。他有限的词汇以及浮夸的恶趣味都加深了这样的印象。

然而，许多美国人投票支持他。拜登只是险胜，以至于一开始连民主党人都接受他会落败的命运。

尽管他是美国近代史上最具争议和引发最多分歧的总统，但多得他的中坚支持者，特朗普的支持率非常稳。

随着特朗普变得很特朗普，我们都知道他有足够的妄想宣布自己获胜，然后他可怜的妻子和家人就会站在他身旁，在《向总统致敬》的奏乐下，陪着他骄傲地走上讲台。

我国也有不少政治小丑，但这位美国橘子男对这种开场的喜好简直无人能及。

《纽约时报》报道指出，特朗普在所属政党中有巨大的支持，赢得了共和党93%的选票。

11月4日的报道中还说，特朗普在黑人选民（12%）和西班牙裔选民（32%）方面也有好成绩，当然，他赢得了拥有庞大西班牙裔选民的佛罗里达州。

这就是特朗普，他理应为冠病大流行处理不当、搞乱经济、种族分裂、逃税、对妇女态度恶劣负上责任，他本质上就不适合担任美国总统。

众所周知，CNN在很久以前就放弃客观且不断反对特朗普。

但2020年美国总统选举的真实故事是，仍然有非常多的美国人想要特朗普。

民主党人没有在参议院和众议院选举中击败共和党人，而共和党人甚至维持了他们的优势地位。

英国报章《卫报》正确指出，“拜登没有提出清晰和吸引人的替代方案”，并形容他“从一开始就很弱”。

“拜登，就像之前的希拉里，代表民主党的商业菁英；他大声说捍卫私人保险业等受到左翼压制的行业”，同时“他对争取以拉美裔选民为主的核心选区没有太大兴趣（据报道，拜登竞选团并不认为这是“踏上胜利之路”的一部分），这有助于解释为何他在德克萨斯州和佛罗里达州落败”。

因此，真实故事不是拜登获胜，而是如何一路并驾齐驱。而事实也不像美国媒体想让我们相信的那样指特朗普非常不受欢迎。

简而言之，特朗普仍然是一股强大的力量，而且，他掌握足够支持。

我们又该如何解释美国选民选出了死于冠病的北达州共和党候选人成为众议院代表一事！

这是非常讽刺的──被视为危险人物的特朗普，从未发动战争。最接近的也就是与中国的贸易战。他甚至与朝鲜领导人金正恩成为朋友，并缓解了紧张局势。

相比之下，在2008年上台时承诺要结束伊拉克和阿富汗冲突的奥巴马，在他任职的8年期间一直发动战争。

他在包括阿富汗、伊拉克、敍利亚、利比亚、也门、索马里和巴基斯坦在内的至少7个国家发动空袭，而且令人难以置信的是，他仍然获得了2009年诺贝尔和平奖。

奥巴马支持同性婚姻。此事获得好莱坞和城市选民的支持，但在中西部乡区却触礁。

同样的，城市的抗议活动以及与警方的街头冲突也敲响了许多中产家庭的警钟，特别是在白人为主的地区。

媒体的报道，有时候，并不能反映中美洲的价值观和立场。

尽管特朗普败选，但可以肯定的是，我们仍会以各种形式收到他的消息，包括他的推文。

正如投票模式所揭露的那样，特朗普主义在众多美国人中引起共鸣。

全世界有相当多国家可能希望美国继续领导，但有其插手的众多国家都导致许多美国人伤亡。真实情况是，当本身国家已经有很多问题时，美国人不想要他们的总统以促进民主之名到处好管闲事。他们不想要他们心爱的人从战场上躺在尸袋内回家，他们甚至无法在世界地图上找到这个战区所在。

根据目前所知的情况，没有美国宣称的大规模杀伤性武器，在沙旦胡先倒台之后，伊拉克的情况变得更糟，而不是更好。

美国哲学家布伦南（Jason Brennan）完美概述了民主的运作方式。

“大多数选民无知或被误导，因为他们获取政治信息的成本大大超过了潜在利益。”

“他们可以沉迷于愚蠢、错误、妄想──正是因为这些信仰不会耗费任何代价。毕竟，个别选票对选举的影响是微乎其微。”

“结果，个别选民倾向以表达自己的方式投票，以显示他们的世界观和对团队的支持。投票更像是在体育赛事中掀起波澜，而不是选择政策。”

“可以完全理解为何选民懂得不多。不是人们愚蠢。反之，是民主制造了坏的奖励机制。”

 

theborneopost.com

‘GPS will retain power with a big majority’ - Borneo Post Online

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Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah believes Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) can win with big majority in the 12th State Election as it has years of good track record.

Abdul Karim said that the people are aware of the GPS government’s efforts to bring development to the state and the ruling coalition is fully prepared for the state polls.

“I believe GPS would win handsomely. I think the rakyat knows what the GPS government has been doing,” Abdul Karim told a press conference at his office yesterday.

On division of seats among GPS component parties, he said that it has been settled and that the party with stronger election machinery on the ground should be given the chance to stand in that particular seat, as it is better to win the seat for GPS than to squabble.

Asked if he will defend his Asajaya seat, he said the Chief Minister has not announced it but there are one or two GPS incumbents who offered to step down.

“For myself, it depends on the party, and I will respect the decision. That is PBB culture.”

The candidates will be considered based on their age, academic background, personality, relationship with the electorates and health. The party is also open to fielding more women candidate to fulfill the target of 30 per cent women representation, which GPS has almost achieved, he said.

When asked about Parti Peribumi Bersatu (Bersatu)’s position in GPS, he said that they are a GPS friendly party.

“As far as I’m concerned, Bersatu is our friend in the federal government, and here at the state level, they are our friend too.”

Asked if GPS would allocate any seat for Bersatu to contest in the state election, he said that anything GPS does is in the spirit of co-operation.

“It is not to say not to give, but there is always narrating the spirit of co-operation especially if we are friendly to each other. They are not our enemy because the federal government is Pakatan Nasional (PN) and GPS. Which means that GPS is allied to PN and not one of the components in PN.”

He added that Bersatu might have found out the sentiment on the ground, and as they do not have any seats in the current state assembly, they may have been doing their own survey to know if they have any chance of winning.

Similarly, when asked if the 2018 Parliament election result will have any bearing in the coming state election, he said that Parliament and State elections are different, and Sarawakians are more concerned about the state election.

Asked on if both Parliament and State elections should be held at the same time, he said it would be good if it is possible as it would save cost.

“For Sarawak, we have an election every 2 to 2.5 years, and we are busy campaigning all year. If can hold both together is a good suggestion, but it depends on the higher up. Election costs hundreds of millions which is the people’s money.”

The state election can be held anytime from now to June 7 next year when the current DUN term automatically dissolves as the first sitting for the current term was on June 7, 2016, said Abdul Karim.

 Mycomments:

        Will GPS still retain power with a big majority as claimed by Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah ?  Will Sarawakians still be fooled like ever before?   BN-GPS  no doubt "has years of good track record" in winning the elections.   But has the BN-GPS government had  good track records of proper development of infrastructure in different constituencies..  

          Have they been able to show the report book of proper infrastructure development for the rakyat in terms of well-connected network of road system facilitated with road lamps, good and standard school buildings, good hospital and clinics at different localities , good internet coverage, good and proper public transport and  good housing development with reasonable pricing?   How well has the BN-GPS government dealt with the woes of floods? 

            Have they been able to protect Sarawak from being plundered, exploited, oppressed, suppressed, robbed and bullied by the Malayan government?   How can the  BN-GPS government tolerate Malaysia / Malaya in disguise to colonise  an imperialise Sarawak for ages?   

          How can  the BN-GPS government retain power with a big majority  when you act in contrary to the majority of Sarawakians who demand for Sarawak independence and freedom to keep all the revenues belonging to Sarawak for the proper development of Sarawak when you are still in favour of federation with  the Malaya government?

          For years, the BN-GPS government has not been able to fight for our right share of so-called federal development funds which is supposed to be one-third of the total.  What more do you expect Sarawak to trust such incapable and inefficient  government?  

        Instead of protecting the rights of Sarawak, it has been selling out the rights of Sarawak in one way or another?  Sarawak has become the third poorest state despite being endowed with abundant natural resources.  Who in his/er right mind will vote for the BN-GPS coalition again?