I would like to take this opportunity to dedicate the 2016 Labour Day celebrations to all voters of Tasik Biru and Sarawak particularly to the youth of Sarawak who will be voting in this coming 11th Sarawak state elections on Saturday 7th May 2016.
Every young Sarawakian whom I have spoken to, want a greater, more transparent access to higher education and for the state to be more responsible and proactive in creating viable jobs for Sarawakians.
12% of the of the total 1.14 million voters this year belong to the younger end of the voters pool between the age of 21 to 29 and youths say that if there is a change of government after May 7, the new government must be serious to take into account the needs of their generation. This 12% will be the kingmakers in the Sarawak state elections and the determining factor if there will be a change of governance in Sarawak or a more stronger opposition front for a more transparent check and balance.
A study by the Department of Statistics Malaysia shows that from 1985 to 2015, for a period of over 30 years, the unemployment rate in Sarawak has exceeded the national employment. Why was this critical issue never addressed properly? Why did the BN led state government allow this to manifest and prolong for over 3 decades when it is them who have absolute autonomous power upon the formation of the Federation of Malaya.
For young Sarawakians who can afford to migrate to Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor or to Singapore, they are considered the lucky ones. The rest of the young end up travelling and braving dark, dangerous, treacherous roads to and fro Kuching, Sibu or other towns from their kampungs just to earn a meagre income. Or else, they end up working in the local marts, supermarkets, wholesale outlets or restaurants.
While there is nothing wrong working in such places to earn an honest living, the issue here is the inequality, the discrimination, the double-standards and the incessant oppression by BN towards the people of Sarawak in terms of equal opportunities in the workforce, salary scheme and productive working conditions.
I emulate the call by DAP for the minimum wage to be increased from RM920 for Labuan, Sabah and Sarawak to RM1,200 monthly. And that this increase be only for Sarawakians and Sabahans alone and not applicable to foreign workers.
For a government that has been in power for 53 years, I can hardly find any excuse for the Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem to not implement a minimum wage the same as Peninsular Malaysia.
I urge Tan Sri Adenan Satem the Chief Minister of Sarawak to bring real change in the lives of the younger generation of Sarawak so that the private sectors will also follow suit to increase the salary of those who earn RM900 to RM1200.
The future of Sarawak and Malaysians alike lies in the hands of the young like you and me so that the voices of the younger generation can be heard loud and clear urging for political and economic reforms, good governance, integrity, transparency and accountability to save our Malaysia.
I pledge to keep on highlighting the plight of the younger generation with regards to education and employment, the problems they face and to continuously pressure the BN led Sarawak state government to increase the minimum wage to RM1200 and that a long term workable plan be created to salvage the youth in Sarawak for a better future.