Push ahead now when Umno at weakest, DAP tells Adenan
Sarawak DAP leader Chong Chieng Jen says instead of opting for diplomacy, Chief Minister Adenan Satem will get better results for Sarawak through actions such as the Petronas moratorium.
KUCHING: In reclaiming Sarawak’s rights, Chief Minister Adenan Satem should opt for more aggressive measures, similar to the Petronas moratorium move which had obtained results, the DAP said.
In commenting on Adenan’s statement that “diplomacy is better than confrontation” regarding Sarawak’s negotiations for more autonomy, Sarawak DAP leader Chong Chieng Jen said the time for diplomacy was past.
“The one example, for which the diplomatic methods would not carry the day, was the employment policy of Petronas. It was the moratorium on the work permits of non-Sarawakians that got the job done,” Chong said.
That made Petronas stand down and yield to the demands of Sarawak, Chong told reporters at the party’s headquarters here yesterday.
On Aug 8, following complaints of layoffs of Sarawakian staff by Petronas, the state government imposed a moratorium with immediate effect on all new applications for work permits from Petronas personnel from outside the state, numbering 586 people.
Adenan lifted the moratorium on Aug 27 after Petronas agreed to raise the number of executive and management positions for Sarawakian staff in the state to 75% and 60% respectively.
“In smaller matters such as this, we had to impose a moratorium. It goes without saying that when it comes to the bigger issues of oil royalty or those that have financial ramifications on the coffers of the federal government, a less diplomatic approach is called for,” Chong said.
Chong added that Adenan should act soon, while he had the upper hand.
“Now Umno is at its weakest. With the redelineation of the electorate boundaries, despite objections, going through, Umno will try to consolidate its power to rule the whole country all on its own,” Chong said.
“If this happens, then PBB’s (Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu) influence will be as negligible as SUPP (Sarawak United People’s Party), PDP (Progressive Democratic Party), or PRS (Parti Rakyat Sarawak) in national politics. If Adenan truly wants to fight for Sarawak’s rights, now is the time to strike,” he said.
Chong said if Adenan did not act now, the state BN would have to face the consequences from the electorate.
“They will face the anger of Sarawakians who are demanding for more rights now.
Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram
“Don’t just twist and turn and act like a hero for Sarawakians and then back down when it comes to crunch time,” he said
.
Chong added: “We have been cordial and friendly long enough and that has resulted in our rights being eroded and our share of allocations being reduced over the past 53 years.”