S4S members with their banners calling for Sarawak’s rights to be restored during the peaceful gathering at Padang Merdeka this morning. – Photos by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
S4S members with their banners calling for Sarawak’s rights to be restored during the peaceful gathering at Padang Merdeka this morning.
KUCHING: The Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) movement held a peaceful gathering at Padang Merdeka here this morning in commemoration of Sarawak this Malaysia Day.
Around 50 members from S4S as well as the public gathered at the open field carrying banners calling to “Restore Sarawak Status” while waving old Sarawak flags.
Its spokesperson KC Tan said Malaysia Day, held to commemorate the founding of the Malaysian Federation, ought to be regarded as a “sad day” for Sarawak in view that the state has been neglected by its federal counterpart for more than 50 years.
“We are gathering here today to tell the people of Sarawak that the state, together with Sabah, have been unfairly treated since September 16, 1963 until today.
“Today, we come to tell all Sarawakians that enough is enough,” he told reporters when met at Padang Merdeka.
He said prior to the signing of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Sarawak had the same status within the country.
“But Sarawak and Sabah have not been treated fairly. They did not treat us as equals,” he lamented.
Citing the oil and gas rights as an example, Tan pointed out that the state only has 5 per cent oil royalty throughout the years.
“They’ve been taking 95 per cent of our oil royalty for more than 50 years and we only get 5 per cent. It’s not fair.”
He thus called on Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to discuss with the federal government on how Sarawak can restore its status.
“We hope the Chief Minister can do whatever he can to help Sarawak especially to fight for our rights especially in oil and gas.”