David Hii
KUCHING: Pakatan Harapan is reminded that Sarawakians are eagerly waiting for the fulfillment of its election promises to Sarawak since the clock is now ticking towards the next election.
Sarawak Patriot Association (SPA) secretary David Hii said that although pledges in election manifestos are not legally binding, they are still genuinely meaningful promises which should be kept since PH is now the government of the day.
He claimed that PH has so far only achieved 2.5 out of the 10 main promises it pledged to fulfill in the first 100 days in office. These include abolishing the Goods and Services Tax and replacing it with Sales and Services Tax (SST), while the price of petrol has been stabilised but the targeted petrol subsidies has been postponed.
“One of the 10 election promises is to ‘return Sabah and Sarawak to the status accorded in the Malaysia Agreement 1963’ by setting up a special cabinet committee on the enforcement of the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“The Pakatan Harapan government has even acknowledged that Sabah and Sarawak are among the poorest in Malaysia. If the Pakatan Harapan government has the interest of Sabahans and Sarawakians at heart, they should fulfill the promises made to them.
“Perhaps, the 100 days may not be enough to fulfill the promises,” he said yesterday.
Hii added that SPA is tracking and will hold the PH government accountable for their promises made to the people of Sarawak as mentioned in the manifesto.
“Promise 3 states that the royalty payment to Sabah and Sarawak will be increased to 20 per cent or a value equivalent so the respective states can take over and fund their own development activities. After 100 days, we are waiting patiently for PH government to fulfill this promise.
“Promise 8 is about improving the quality and coverage of public transport, which includes encouraging bus companies to operate in semi-urban and rural areas, working together with companies, owners of buses/school buses and encouraging new entrepreneurs who own suitable vehicles to venture into e-hailing so that they can grow in areas that need more public transport.
“We have not heard of any plan under promise No 8.
“Promise 24 pledges that in the first three years of their administration, 50 per cent of development expenditure will be ring-fenced for the five poorest states including Sabah and Sarawak. Once this is fulfilled, it will be good for Sarawak,” he said.
Promise 34 states that the minimum wage in Sabah and Sarawak will be raised at par with that in Peninsular Malaysia although he acknowledged that perhaps due to the prevailing global economy, this may take sometime to fulfill.
He also touched on Pillar 4 of the manifesto which promises to return Sabah and Sarawak to the status accorded by the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and Promise 40 pledges to implement the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“Sarawakians are waiting for the fruition of Pillar No 4 and Promise No 40. We, Sarawak Patriot Association, ask that what rightfully belongs to Sarawak, please return them to Sarawak.
“Promise 41 pledges to ensure the prosperity of the people of Sabah and Sarawak by enhancing their economic growth which includes increasing petroleum royalty to 20 per cent or equivalent, greater allocation of resources to be channeled to Sabah and Sarawak.
“The Petroleum Development Act 1976 will be scrutinised to review Petronas’ monopoly to enable Sabah and Sarawak to set up their own oil and gas companies.”
Promise 42 pledges that more employment opportunities will be created for Sabah and Sarawakian youths by giving priority to fill vacancies at every level especially the upper level in all central and state agencies.
“The Pakatan Harapan government has also promised to set up an Industrialisation Fund and Entrepreneurs Fund to boost industrialisation and entrepreneurship among the locals. The tourism sector will also be developed so there is job creation and development funds in addition to promoting the unique culture, history and natural beauty of local sites,” he added.
He also said Sarawakians are earnestly waiting for the fulfillment of Promise 47 to decentralise the federation’s fiscal administration system so that eventually up to 50 per cent of the tax revenue collected in Sabah and Sarawak will be spent on development needs, while Promise 48 pledges to return and guarantee the right of customary land of the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
“The majority of Malaysians voted for PH in the last general election due to the wonderful promises contained in their manifesto. Promise are promises, and we are waiting for their fulfillment.
“Bearing in mind, there are more than two million registered voters in Sabah and Sarawak and the clock is ticking to the 15th General Election,” he said.