KUCHING: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Barisan Nasional in the state transcend their political divide to stand on common ground on several issues affecting the state.
Adenan (left) extending welcome to PKR Petra Jaya delegates.
State PKR chairman Baru Bian said among the issues PKR and the state BN shared the same stance are seeking the increase of oil royalties to 20 per cent, Land Code amendments on Native Customary Land Reserve (NCR), transparency in the government’s administration, the fight against illegal logging, barring of extremists from the state, protection of forests and curbing social problems such as drug abuse and illegal online gambling.
Baru who thanked Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem for listening to the concerns of the people raised by his party, said, “Gone are the days when ‘I am the BN. I am the government. I don’t listen to the opposition.
“We are very happy that we were given the opportunity, the space and the time to meet the Chief Minister.”
He added that PKR worked well with Adenan in fighting for the interest of the state as the chief minister allowed the opposition party elected representatives to air their views.
“The opposition is also part of the government, therefore we give constructive suggestions and proposals and if they are good for the state and the people, it should be accepted,” Baru told a press conference after leading a PKR delegation meeting Adenan at DUN Complex here yesterday.
He also expressed hope that the government would consider the recommendations made by PKR for the betterment of the people.
“You don’t be malu (embarrassed) to accept any suggestion from the opposition,” said the Ba Kelalan assemblyman.
Baru acknowledged that PKR on its part should not just object for the sake of opposing the government just because they were in the opposition.
“All issues should be seen from both angles (ruling and opposition). If we sincerely suggest ideas for the good of the people, then appreciate us.
“We hope them (the people) to be mature in their thinking. So whether they support or against us, premature to say,” said Baru when asked by the media if working with the state BN would affect its standing as an opposition party.
At the meeting, Baru brought up the possibility for the government assisting farmers suffering from low prices of commodities such as rubber and oil palm
“We suggested the government intervene by funding the purchase of commodities from the farmers to stabilise the prices. And he (Adenan) responded that he would consider and talk to the relevant departments whether it can be implemented,” said Baru.
Meanwhile, on the NCR land amendment which will be tabled at the DUN sittings next month, Baru proposed that the pemakai menuai or cari makan areas be considered as NCR land.
“This is the issue where we differed but he (Adenan) is going to look into it. However, we both agreed to safeguard the transaction of NCR land only be transacted between natives of Sarawak and not natives from outside Sarawak,” said Baru.
Among the PKR delegation were PKR state deputy chairman See Chee How and Krian Assemblyman Ali Biju and state PKR woman chief Voon Siak Ni.