PBB vice-president Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Sarawak already has the Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK), which he termed as “good”.
“We don’t need another ‘Malayan agency’ to teach us what to do in the longhouse,” said Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman and tourism minister, at the state assembly.
“We are not scared of MPKKP or PH. If the state election is held tomorrow, we are prepared for it,” he said.
Sarawak PKR chairman and Works Minister Baru Bian had said MPKKP was to facilitate the implementation of the federal government’s projects in the rural areas in the state
Baru said the council’s representatives would be appointed by the federal government and he did not see any problem with the move as it was planned for the benefit of the people.
He reiterated that the formation of the MPKKP was not aimed at dividing the community.
Several Sarawak PH leaders had reportedly claimed that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government was concerned about the formation of the MPKKP because of its dominance over the rural communities for the past 50 over years.
Karim questioned the relevance of having two community leaders in a longhouse.
“Can you imagine yourself having two fathers at home? Don’t give any more excuses. MPKKP was set up to divide the people, similar to the British colonial era’s practice of divide and rule.
“If you (Sarawak PH leaders) really love Sarawak, you will definitely object to this. Don’t let yourself be an ‘ulun’ (slave) to Malaya,” he said.
He said the federal government could make use of Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) or the Information Department to disseminate information on its policies and programmes at the grassroots level instead of setting up the MPKKP.
Karim also criticised PH for its failure to fulfill its election promises. He said the coalition had promised to return 50% of all taxes collected in Sarawak and 20% of oil royalties if it captured Putrajaya.
“If I were to list all the promises made by the PH government, I think we will have to stay on until midnight.
“The PH government made all kinds of promises, including abolishing the National Higher Education Corporation Fund (PTPTN) and reducing fuel prices, but promises only remain promises,” he said.