KUCHING: Barisan Nasional (BN) backbenchers should ask themselves why the people prefer to bring their queries and doubts on land matters to the opposition rather than to government lawmakers.
Providing them an answer, state PKR chairman Baru Bian said: “It is because BN elected representatives are not effective and they may not be willing to resolve the matters because they have a policy.
“If it is on land matters, then their policy is against the rights of the people and that is the reason why the people went to see the opposition,” he told a press conference here Thursday.
Baru was responding to a recent statement by Assistant Resource Planning Minister Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais that queries and doubts over land matters should be brought to the attention of local BN elected representatives and not the opposition, as bringing such issues or cases to the opposition would only complicate matters.
“What is the problem in seeking other people’s view, in particular if they are elected representatives from the opposition, or even lawyers that are taking cases for the people when they are the experts?”
Baru said he didn’t see anything wrong with that, as long as it is for the purpose of resolving the matter, adding: “For us in the opposition and those taking a lot of these cases, we don’t complicate matters.”
“As far as we are concerned, we would raise up the truth of the matter. We will tell them (the people) their rights in accordance with the law. The rest is up to them.”
Describing Naroden’s statement as “very dictatorial”, Baru said the people have democratic right to seek advice from anyone.
“We would like to say they (the people) are welcome to see the opposition. Come to see us and we will give you the best advice and we would tell the truth.”
Meanwhile, Baru said PKR, PAS and DAP will announce the formation of state Pakatan Rakyat Council tomorrow.