KUCHING: In a roundup of 2014, PRS president Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing said politically, it is a year of socio-religious unrest and extremism that is slowly rearing its ugly head in Peninsular Malaysia.
However, he pointed out Sarawak had been shielded from such religious malaise.
As such, he called on leaders to be brave enough to lead and fight against those deviating from what Malaysia as a federation had agreed on 51 years ago.
“But we in Sarawak can’t assume that we are safe. Let us therefore, in Sarawak stand hand in hand against racial and religious bigots in whatever shapes and sizes they appear. We must stop them dead in their tracks. I believe to achieve this, leaders must be honest, sincere, transparent and above all, willing to walk the talk.
“Gallery politics has no part in this serious and at time deadly political game. Malaysians have so much to hope for and much to gain.
“Therefore leaders must not spoil that hope by being too afraid to lead and too scared to tell Malaysians the correct path!” Masing told The Borneo Post here yesterday.
Masing who is senior minister and Minister of Land Development hoped that next year would be the dawn of a new era for the moderates and rational people of Malaysia.
“I hope 2015 will be much better to ensure social and religious peace in the state and country,” added Masing, who is currently on leave overseas.
Meanwhile, state Barisan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said 2014 is the year when Sarawak is helmed by a new man who has different ways of doing things and approaches to resolve issues.
“The new Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s straight talk and at times ‘walk the talk’ with no nonsense attitude and his firmness in handling state and federal matters seemed to gain support and praise even from the opposition.
“This augurs well in our preparation for the coming state election and we are gaining momentum … ,” added the Assistant Minister of Public Utilities.
Adenan took over the reins of power from his predecessor Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud on Feb 28. Taib was appointed as the Head of State on March 1, succeeding Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Mohd Salahuddin Abang Barieng.
In the next state election to be held latest by June 2016, Sarawak will have 82 state seats to be contested, an increase of 11 seats. The bill for the increase was passed by the State Legislative Assembly last month. Now it is pending approval from the Election Commission and endorsement by a simple majority in the 222-member Parliament.