Pandi (seated right) issuing a joint press release announcing their support to Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah over his demand for the Tourism Tax to be deferred in Sarawak.
BINTULU: Several local Bumiputera associations and non-governmental organisations here are giving their full support to Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah over his demand for the Tourism Tax to be deferred in Sarawak.
Among them is Anaq Vaie Bintulu Association (PAVB).
In a joint press conference, its president Pandi Suhaili said they represented PAVB, Jepak Cycling Club, Saberkas Jepak Unit 1, Persatuan Melayu Sarawak Bintulu, Bintulu Sepaktakraw Association and Perguruan Seni Silat Langkah Pertiwi Sarawak.
“We are giving our undivided support to the Sarawak cabinet minister for his firmness in stating that the state government should be consulted before the Ministry of Tourism and Culture implements the tax,” he said.
According to him, they were sad and disappointed over the very rude statement of the federal minister when responding to Abdul Karim’s request in the media.
“It didn’t reflect the behaviour of a minister in charge of Malay culture and ethics which should be great and decent,” he added.
As Sarawakians, Pandi said they did not want the state government to bow to any form of cheap tribulation but should continue the effort of former chief minister the late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem to fight for the rights of Sarawak as stipulated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“Sarawak is not an ordinary state in Malaysia. Sarawak, Sabah (North Borneo), Tanah Melayu and Singapore are the four parties that formed Malaysia,” he stressed.
The federal government, he pointed out, should be more sensitive over the rights of Sarawakians in order to protect the harmony and the social contract that had been agreed upon by the founders of Malaysia.