KUCHING: State Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) chairman Abdullah Saidol describes the allegations by state DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen that the federal-state negotiation is going ‘backwards’ and cannot be trusted is beyond doubt a ‘politically retarded’ point of view.
He said the allegation made on Thursday which Chong claimed as non-constructive and frivolous represented ‘political short sightedness’ on the part of the party (DAP).
“Chong claimed that they are the one who first raised the issues related to Sarawak Autonomy and Empowerment during the so-called Bintulu Declaration on Oct 26, 2014.
“Unfortunately, those ignorant politicians from DAP didn’t realise that two weeks after taking over as chief minister, Adenan (Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem) did mention clearly during an exclusive interview, among other things, that Sarawak should be treated constitutionally correct by the federal government and that he planned to pursue an initiative with the federal government to revisit and review various things related to the state’s interest, particularly when it comes to development grant, which he always described as ‘Taik Manuk’ or not sufficient.
“Those statements appeared seven months before the so called ‘Bintulu Declaration’.”
He said that Chong and state DAP had also frequently claimed credit for Adenan’s effort to abolish toll and the aggressive fight against illegal logging.
“They are always the ‘happy passengers’ in the wagon ridden and handled by Barisan Nasional,” he said
He further said that those 13 matters that Adenan announced were significant if was fully understood how the state government administrative machinery worked.
“For example, for federal funded projects, the federal government must always give priority to the Five-Year Sarawak Development Plan and all the relevant federal ministries must first consult the state government when planning or implementing any development projects in the state.”
He said the outcome from this agreed arrangement was that the state government, to a certain extent, would have control and authority over the federal-funded projects to ensure efficient and well managed projects particularly those involving the people’s interest.
“Chong merely refused to admit that Adenan is actually going forward convincingly in the negotiation,” said Abdullah who is also Semop assemblyman.
All those areas suggested by Chong, he said, such as medical, education and internal affairs were among many areas that were being thoroughly reviewed as long as it was deemed constitutionally appropriate and administratively workable between the parties.
“I don’t think we will act unreasonably or clumsily by making claim just for the sake of claiming if the result will eventually cause Sarawakians to lose more.
“For all intents and purposes, I believe the negotiation process will be conducted in a harmonious and high level diplomatic structured process.
“We in the state Barisan Nasional do not subscribe to hostility and confrontation. The chief minister did mention that this was just the first round, more to come and to be achieved. What we need to do as a sign of support and appreciation to his tireless effort is by giving him the biggest mandate that we can ever deliver.”
“Chong said Adenan was slow and that his negotiation could not be trusted. What he (Chong) doesn’t realise is that Adenan is capable in politics and in leadership, much like Muhammad Ali in boxing.
“Move like a butterfly but sting like a Bee,” said the chief political secretary to the chief minister.-Borneo Post
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