Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Najib Abdul Razak has beenactively campaigning in Sarawak. Najib, along with Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem, has made lofty promises regarding Sarawak’s autonomy. However, they broke these promises at the Cabinet press conference yesterday.
Sarawak’s autonomy should improve both the economy of the state and Sarawakians’ everyday life. All Sarawakians – regardless of social class, religion, ethnicity, and gender – should benefit from Sarawak’s autonomy. Sarawakians should have more money in hand. Tycoons should not monopolise Sarawak’s resources which belong to all Sarawakians. This is the real autonomy that DAP fights for.
Adenan has not been able to clarify how the “autonomy” he fights for would serve Sarawak.In contrast, DAP has been fighting for an increase of oil royalties from 5% since 1996. It is obvious that Najib-led Barisan Nasional (BN) disagrees with this.
Adenan could not even defend the 20% oil royalties even though the resolution was unanimously supported by all opposition members and was passed in the Sarawak State Assembly on 6th May 2014. BN has been controlling two-thirds majority for more than half a century. Clearly, no matter how many states BN controls in the Sarawak State Assembly, BN will never return the real autonomy to Sarawakians.
Sarawakians will completely lose autonomy if BN has full control of the Sarawak State Assembly. The only way to return real autonomy to Sarawakians is by making the Opposition stronger. A stronger Opposition in the Sarawak State Assembly brings better governance. Most importantly, a stronger Opposition brings Najib down.
Sarawak BN is the last resort to preserve Najib’s power. If Sarawakians continue to support BN, BN will only exploit the abundant resources and exploit Sarawakians. Sarawakians must prevent this – Sarawakians must vote for DAP on May 7th. Sarawakians must break BN’s two-thirds majority.
Stand up Sarawakians! Stand united! Vote for the Opposition on May 7th. Break BN’s two-thirds majority to protest against Najib’s refusal to increase oil royalties.