KUCHING: Johor Umno Liaison Committe chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin on Saturday proposed the setting up of an Umno branch for Sarawakians in Pasir Gudang parliament constituency.
Bernama quoted the Johor Menteri Besar as saying the proposal would encourage the community to participate in politics to ensure their welfare and needs were well looked after.
“With this representation, the welfare of the Sarawak community in the state will be looked after better, and they will also have a place for their voices to be heard,” he was reported as suggesting during the Pre-Gawai 2015 launching ceremony on Saturday night.
According to him, there were between 30,000 and 40,000 Sarawakians living in the state who should be given privileges as they had resided in Johor for a long time, were supportive of the government, and had contributed to the economy.
Yesterday, The Borneo Post reporter Jonathan Chia contacted three state BN leaders, and their comments were mixed.
PRS president Tan Sri Dauk Amar Dr James Masing is strongly against the idea while PBB supreme council members Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku are receptive of it. Masing said he would not agree to such a set up. He cautioned that Sarawakians who joined Umno in Johor would eventually want Umno to set foot in Sarawak to look after their interests when they come back.
“I will not agree to the setting up of Umno branch for Sarawakians who opted to join Umno in Johor. If Sarawakian Umno (members) come back home they will request for Umno to be established to look after their interest. Thus, that could be a way for Umno to come to Sarawak, via the back door.
“Besides, there are PRS and SPDP social clubs in Johor. Talk to them.” Masing contended it was not necessary nor a pre-requisite to be an Umno member to be given assistance for Sarawakians residing in Johor.
“The 30,000 to 40,000 Sarawakians residing in Johor should be given help, especially those who had been there for years, if help is sought. From past records, Sarawakans residing in Johor are good and peaceful citizens.” Masing’s sentiment was, however, not shared by Abdul Karim, who said Mohamed Khaled’s proposal deserved to be appreciated and applauded.
“Sarawakians in Johor come under the purview of Johor, not Sarawak. Much of their needs and welfare can be taken care of it they have a political vehicle,” said Abdul Karim, when contacted yesterday.
Hence, Asajaya assemblyman Abdul Karim said Sarawakians here should not get too emotional or think this was one way for Umno to spread its influence among Sarawakians.
“As it is, there are many Sarawakians who are Umno members, through Umno Club, when they are studying overseas. The situation in Johor is somewhat similar.”
Wan Junaidi, in echoing Abdul Karim’s sentiments, said the Umno branch would serve not just as a political platform but a way for Sarawakians to play a more significant role in the state. He even suggested that these Sarawakians be given the chance to register as voters in their current place of domicile in Johor.
“For me, there is no problem for Sarawakians, be they Ibans, Bidayuhs, Malays or other races, to be Umno members in Johor, as long as Umno is not brought into Sarawak,” said Santubong MP Wan Junaidi.
Meanwhile, Bernama also quoted Mohamed Khaled as saying he agreed to the request by the Sarawak Community Association (PKS) to build a cultural village in Johor as a symbol of Sarawak culture and as a tourist attraction.
“If a suitable site has been identified, then the state government has no objections to realising the intention,” he was quoted as saying.
To this, Masing said the request by PKS for a Dayak Cultural Village to be built in Johor deserved serious consideration by Mohamed Khaled.