KAPIT: Sarawakians have been reminded to defend their rights as citizens of this state.
Minister of Land Development Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing said each and every Sarawakian must fight against those who wish to take away their rights and privileges such as immigration.
“We must protect our immigration autonomy. If people come in freely, the rights of Sarawakians may not be maintained. They may be more qualified in certain areas and they’ll take away jobs from us. We must put a stop to it until we’re on equal standing,” he said during a recent event here.
According to him, those wishing to erode the rights of Sarawakians are doing it gradually.
“If you’re scared, they would just keep on it, inch by inch, to take away all our rights. Therefore, you as responsible Sarawakians must draw the line – no more. No more conditions, no more disturbances in this manner. The disturbances must be put to a stop now, then you can defend your rights. So, never feel scared to talk about your rights, defend your rights,” he stressed.
Masing pointed out that the rights of Sarawakians were enshrined when Sarawak formed Malaysia together with Sabah and Malaya (and Singapore, which subsequently seceded).
He explained that Sarawak’s request for the oil and gas royalty to increase from 5 per cent to 20 per cent is legitimate.
“Sarawak contributes 40 per cent revenue to the nation’s treasury. So, the 20 per cent request is not much. If you look at our infrastructure, the roads here are nothing compared to them (Peninsular Malaysia). Again 40 per cent revenue comes from Sarawak. Why are we denied infrastructure?”
He said the federal government and Petronas are seriously looking into the royalty increase.