THE federal government is urged to respect the rights of Sarawak as enshrined in the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Dato Idris Buang (PBB-Muara Tuang) in his debate on the Supply Bill 2019 said Sarawak was still behind in terms of healthcare, housing and Internet coverage.
Dato Idris Buang
“There is enough exploitation and bullying, they (federal government) must respect our rights and other laws.”
Among the laws are the State Land Code and the Oil and Mining Ordinance, which are Sarawak’s absolute rights which must be respected.
Touching on the MA63 Consultative Committee, he said Sarawakians only wanted their rights to be given consideration and respect in accordance with the agreement.
“The Sarawak government is ready to work with the PH federal government in the best possible manner.
“I am not saying this because of politics, but (I am) saying this for the people of Sarawak.”
On the State Budget 2019, he said that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has brought good news to Sarawakians by revealing the more than RM10 billion budget.
“This (Budget) is the best and biggest in Sarawak’s history. The National Budget 2019 only gives RM4.436 billion to Sarawak.
“The Sarawak budget does not only come from its reserves but also from other channels such as the five per cent sales tax on petroleum products starting Jan 1, next year.”
Sarawak, he added, is clearly in safe hands under the GPS government.
On another note, Idris said GPS had nothing to do with any of the corruption cases in Peninsular Malaysia, including the 1MDB case.
“There is no way to attribute any connection at all with GPS.”
Also debating on the Supply Bill 2019 yesterday was Kalaka assemblyman Datuk Abdul Wahab Aziz, who said the five per cent sales tax on petroleum would not affect our consumers.
He also thanked the Sarawak government for the allocation of RM81.7 million to upgrade dilapidated schools in Sarawak.
Touching on the move to impose a five per cent sales tax on petroleum products from Sarawak, he said the GPS government had already studied its impact to Sarawakians before tabling the bill.
For his Kalaka constituency, he estimated that at least RM15 million is needed to provide treated water supply to several villages by 2021.
Kalaka is also in need of more affordable housing, and invited Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to step in to build houses there for those in the middle income group.