‘PH trapped by manifesto that overpromised’

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Datuk Snowdan Lawan

KUCHING: The Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government is finding itself trapped by an election manifesto that overpromised, claimed Datuk Snowdan Lawan.

The Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Youth chief said that despite the manifesto promises, PH has under-delivered especially with projects for Sarawak.

“Thus far, we have not seen or felt any real tangible and impactful initiatives delivered by the PH government that paralleled their sky-high manifesto especially for Sarawak,” Snowdan said when commenting on Works Minister Baru Bian’s statement that Sarawak leaders had been too quick to come to conclusions and were presumptuous in their allegations that PH elected representatives did not act in the best interests of Sarawak.

“But we do hear of instructions that certain projects are to be reviewed, reclassified, delayed or even in the midst to be cancelled. This is disappointing,” said Snowdan.

He said the common excuse was no funding available or the projects are not relevant currently.

He pointed out that, as minister, Baru himself has yet to unveil any impactful project for Sarawak.

“It is the responsibility of the government of the day to look for funds and help the people. They must not run away from this.

“Please be mindful too that the present PM, and the purported PM-to-be, were the same people who led BN (Barisan Nasional) then. And they have 29 years’ accumulated experience in swallowing up Sarawak’s wealth. They did it before, and probably will again,” Snowdan said.

He said Baru should realise that much was done by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad during his first stint leading the country.

“The only difference is before it was our wealth and now they are going for our whole state,” he said.

“So Baru Bian better be on guard, less another ‘swallow-up’ is in the making. They now eyeing our state. Sarawakians must not allow Sarawakians to collaborate with these kinds of tactics or else we will become a more miserable lot later, losing everything the state has.”

He added the Sarawak government had acted correctly by leaving BN.

“We chose a more pragmatic approach. Form GPS, untangle ourselves from Malaya’s coalition and chart our own destiny. It’s better late than never,” he said.

“We are duty-bound to protect our riches to ensure our wealth shall not be siphoned out to Malaya again to rebuild the likes of another (Petronas) Twin Towers, the gigantic Putrajaya, universities and so forth, largely with wealth from Sarawak.”

Snowdan said GPS, a coalition of Sarawakian parties, is the answer.

“We do not welcome the ‘bullying’ of PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat), DAP (Democratic Action Party), Amanah (Parti Amanah Negara), PAS (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia) or PPBM (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia) from Malaya,” he added.

“We will stay on track on this to protect and safeguard Sarawak’s interests and rights.”