Alan Ling
MIRI: Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak is unimpressed with the survey that gives GPS an overwhelming popularity vote, throwing a dare for a snap election to be called by the ruling coalition to verify the actual political landscape in Sarawak.
GPS should call for a snap election based on the result of the survey if they are confident of retaining power, suggested Senator Alan Ling, who is PH Sarawak secretary and DAP Sarawak secretary.
He said this when asked to comment on the recent survey conducted by Universiti Malaya between June and September this year, which shows that 60 to 70 per cent of voters in Sarawak are for the current ruling coalition – GPS.
“GPS basically employed various deceiving tactics in an attempt to survive and remain in power.
“GPS is putting all the blame on the federal government, which has just been in power for about six months, ignoring the fact that GPS was formerly with the Barisan Nasional for more than five decades, and Sarawak’s rights, if any were all eroded or given away during those years.”
Ling also accused GPS of being uncooperative with the PH federal government, probably worried of losing power if they did as the credit would go to PH and not GPS.
He added that GPS leaders were now trying to project to the people that they were fighting for Sarawak’s rights for their own political survival.
“If GPS is sincere in pursuing the autonomous powers, they should be working closely with the federal government, which has been embarking on the very fundamental step in restoring the position of Sarawak within the federation through the proposed tabling of amendment to Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution.”
Ling said he’s confident that with the cleaning of the electoral rolls, solving of citizenship issue progressively, and the effective dissemination of federal policies, the chances of winning Sarawak is there, but PH would remain humble and work hard towards this legitimate political goal.
He said perhaps the survey could be carried out again a year later to gauge if the people had really been informed of the good policies brought about by the new government, which emphasised on clean and transparent governance, and committed in safeguarding the people’s rights.
He also refuted claims that the PH government had slashed several projects approved by the previous administration, adding that most of the projects were announced by former ministers during their visit here, and that the so-called projects were never included in the budget or the Malaysia Plan.
“Therefore, the accusation of cancellation is malicious and baseless. We will gather the relevant information so that the people are informed of the fact.”
Ling also reiterated the PH government’s commitment to develop Sarawak, taking into account that the deserving projects would be studied and implemented in stages.