Tan (third right) speaking at the press conference prior to revealing their manifesto yesterday.
KUCHING: The Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) movement says its ‘The Sarawak Manifesto@2018’ focuses on six main areas in effort to strengthen Sarawak’s economy and enrich the people.
The six main areas are to reform and strengthen various institutions namely: an independent Sarawak financial system; Petros to proclaim oil and gas in Sarawak; a new Sarawak education system; a new Sarawak healthcare system; Sarawak defence system; and immigration and control.
“If we manage to restore our autonomy, the state can stand by itself for future generations,” S4S spokesperson K C Tan told a press conference held at a hotel here yesterday.
He elaborated that the manifesto also seeks to extend the role of Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS) as a commercial bank to enable all Sarawakians to open an account at the bank.
“Non-local banks to have at least 30 per cent of their shares owned by Sarawakians, restore and re-issue Sarawak stamp and bank notes and set up a Sarawak sovereign wealth fund,” he added.
Touching on oil and gas, the Sarawak government he said should take full ownership and control of petrol.
“The state should execute the judicial power of the Oil and Mining Ordinance 1958 to shut down operation of any company that failed to comply with Petros by Dec 31 this year,” said Tan.
During the press conference, he also revealed that an estimated 850,000 barrels of oil are “taken” out of Sarawak amounting to US$51,000,000 a day (based on US$60 a barrel).
With such fund, Sarawak he said would have more than enough to develop the state as well as providing every Sarawakian RM4,412 each year (based on a 2.7 million population).
With the money in the state coffer, the manifesto he said could provide free education and free healthcare for Sarawakians.
“This will also enable the state government to sponsor more Sarawak students and athletes for major international academic and sports competitions,” he added.
Touching on defence, Sarawak he said should revive the Sarawak Rangers, the Sarawak Border Scouts as well as forming Sarawak Coast Guard.
Tan further added that the manifesto also includes the restoration of the Sarawak passport, passport system for non-Sarawak citizens upon entry to the state and having Sarawak’s own immigration and customs department.
“All taxes which are collected should also directly be channeled to the state Treasury,” he added.
S4S he said also proposed the Sarawak government take actions to announce the reduction in electricity tariff, reinstate local council election, establish a Sarawak Central Bank, enforce passport system upon entry to Sarawak, make available study loans or bonds for Sarawak’s top students, announce the findings of the MA63 findings from the London trip in 2016, stop all ceremonies relating to the National Day celebration on Aug 31 and take over MASwings and make it a subsidiary of Hornbill Skyways.
“I have also passed a hard copy of this manifesto to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri James Masing, Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Sim Kui Hian and Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at their respective offices,” he added.
S4S he added will also email the manifesto to all the remaining State Legislative Assembly members.