KUCHING: Sarawak Association for People’s Aspiration (Sapa) will hold a forum entitled ‘Sarawak on the edge of the precipice’ at Hotel Grand Continental here on March 7.
The event, which will take place from 9am to 6pm, is open to the public.
The forum aims to bring together concerned citizens to hear talks and engage in conversations on key issues and challenges that the state is currently facing, as well as future developments.
The speakers include former Court of Appeal judge Datuk Seri Mohd Hishamudin Yunus, Sarawak Patriots Association (SPA) president Datuk John Lau Pang Heng, Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan, Aspirasi (formerly known as State Reform Party ― Star) president Lina Soo, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Bawang Assan branch chairman Robert Lau Hui Yew, Gala & Tomik Advocates managing partner Wejok Tomik and Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) acting president Patrick Anek Uren.
Sapa president Dominique Ng said that the association is also inviting several politicians to the forum, namely Democratic Action Party (DAP) member Chiew Chin Sing and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) member Willie Mongin, as well as awaiting response from a member of parliament from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
“The forum is timely as we want the speakers and stakeholders to share with us their vision for Sarawak since the state election is on the cusp.
“We will try to enliven the forum by having plenary sessions where the audience can ask questions to the penal speakers,” he told reporters at a press conference here yesterday.
The forum will touch on the topics that are crucial to Sarawak, ranging from religious liberty, Oil & Gas revenues, Native Customary Rights (NCR) land rights, to historical perspectives and all the options for Sarawak to move forward, whether towards autonomy or independence.
“The word ‘referendum’ is increasingly bandied about nowadays, but this forum will look further into the important tool for any democracy, studying options for its form, function and even the technology that could be employed.
“It is only with this knowledge that we can form a viable and representative plan for the future,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sapa publicity and information Chief Peter John Jaban said that the question of Sarawak’s status within Malaysia was first raised as part of a people’s movement, long before it was taken on by the state government as policy.
“Sarawakians cannot afford to relax and leave the future of our state to others.
“We must continue to educate ourselves, to take part in conversations and debates, to put pressure on our elected representatives for change, to make our voices heard on the national stage.
“If we do not stand up and speak out, how will anyone understand how important this is to us?
“That is why all concerned citizens must attend events such as this, which your elected representatives have been invited to attend. It is your chance to have your voices heard.”
