Sarawakians and Fellow Malaysians: Kita Boleh Berubah, Memang Kita Boleh
| www.malaysiakini.com
Anwar says it again: We’ll capture Sarawak |
| Tony Thien | January 10, 2009 |
| Anwar Ibrahim has reiterated his confidence that opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat will form the Sarawak government due to local disenchantment with the Barisan Nasional state administration.
On the same note, the PKR de facto leader assured that a Pakatan Rakyat state government will work to safeguard and protect the people’s land and rights. According to him, if Pakatan Rakyat forms government, it will introduce the necessary legislation within six months to return to the people what rightly belongs to them such as land. He said BN had claimed prior to the March 8, 2008 general election that the opposition will not be able understand the mechanics of running a government.This has been proven to be incorrect following the opposition alliance gaining control of four states, apart from retaining Kelantan, he added.”Yes, we do not understand the economics of stealing people’s lands,” he quipped. Takes a swipe at Alfred Jabu During his speech, the opposition leader also took a swipe at one of his chief critics in Sarawak, Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu.Anwar, who received a standing ovation at the end of his 25 -minute speech, said Jabu should find ways to help the Dayak community instead of wasting time criticising him. Later, Anwar received 3,000 membership application forms from former PRS member of parliament for Sri Aman Jimmy Donald for 20 PRS divisions. He also received a memorandum from representatives of 32 Bidayuh families from the Bejoi and Pain Bojong villages in the Bengoh area which is affected by the construction of the RM320 million Bengoh Dam. The villagers have refused to be resettled to a site proposed by the state government and urged Anwar to raise their plight in Parliament. Also present at the dinner were Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, PKR secretary-general Dato Sallehuddin Hashim and several PKR MPs and state representatives. Anwar arrived in Kuching from Kuala Lumpur by AirAsia and contrary to earlier reports suggesting he might be banned from entering, he got through without any hindrance. Khalid arrived earlier in a MAS flight. Following a late night meeting with state PKR leaders, Anwar and Khalid will leave for Kuala Lumpur tomorrow morning. |
With his trademark oratory skills, the opposition leader told an elated crowd of more than 5,000 at a ‘Friends of PKR’ dinner in Kuching this evening that opposition parties will work together to unseat BN and long serving chief minister, Abdul Taib Mahmud.
De facto leader of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Anwar Ibrahim’s message to 5,000 people, the majority of them were Dayaks last night was loud and clear – if they wanted their NCR land back, then they must help Pakatan Rakyat (People’s Alliance) topple the State Barisan Nasional government.
“With your support we can change this government. But we must start now and must work very hard,” he said at a dinner at Mile 4 in Kuching. Anwar knew that Dayaks had suffered as a result of their NCR land being taken away by the State Government.
He assured that the problems involving the NCR land could be solved within six months if Pakatan Rakyat comprising PKR, DAP and PAS was to form the next State government.
“We will return the land to the people. This is my message to the people of Sarawak,” he said and added: “Look at Selangor. It has changed tremendously after Pakatan Rakyat under Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim as Menteri Besar. This is the reason I bring Khalid to Kuching tonight so that he can tell you about Selangor.”
Indeed land has become a major issue in every election in the State. But the sad thing is that it was not “hot” enough to win votes for the candidates who challenged the BN candidates in the rural areas. The reason was simple: the people were sweet-talked to vote for BN candidates in exchange for bounties. They were blinded by the “ang pow” of RM20 or RM30 in addition to minor rural development projects promised to them.
No doubt there is political tsunami brewing in West Malaysia after last March election. But for such a change to take place here in Sarawak, two things that need to be stressed here.
It is important for PKR to have quality candidates, candidates who have a cause to fight rather than “kaki lima” candidates who are only serving their own personal agenda as it is also equally important for Sarawakians especially Dayaks to know what they really want in the coming election: change this present government or remain being subordinated at least for the next five years. The choice is ours as voters. – The Broken Shield
Source: http://www.thebrokenshield.blogspot.com
Posted by Jetty at 9:56 AM
Obama - January 10, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Sarawak belongs to Sarawakians, not BN. From today onwards, just as or before you cast your votes, answer this question yourself, Sarawakians owns Sarawak, so vote no more BN. Vote for A New Government, A government for the People. Vote PR. Make that change.
Don’t let BN lie to you anymore. Tell your family what they need to know, they need to vote, they need to change, change the old guard with a NEW GOVERNMENT.
panca - January 11, 2009 at 11:02 pm