KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth has criticised the Sarawak Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (DAPSY) over a series of social media posts concerning the acquisition of Bintulu Port, alleging that the posts were disrespectful towards Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
PBB Youth Information chief Royston Valentine said visuals shared by DAPSY on Facebook had deliberately obscured the Premier’s image in a photograph related to the recent payment made by the Sarawak government to acquire the port from the federal government.
He described the move as rude and arrogant, claiming it created the impression that the Sarawak government leadership had played little or no role in the acquisition.
“The Premier’s image was edited and covered by images of DAPSY leaders, as though the state’s top leadership had made no contribution to the successful acquisition of Bintulu Port and that DAP leaders should instead be credited for the achievement,” he said in a statement.
Royston, the Tellian assemblyman, said the acquisition was the result of years of effort by the Sarawak government under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) administration and stressed that the port was not transferred free of charge by the federal government.
“It must be emphasised that the RM1.8 billion represents the amount paid by the Sarawak government to purchase Bintulu Port. It was not handed over freely by the federal government as some have assumed.
“Instead, they appear to boast as though they alone fought for Sarawak’s rights and interests as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), when in reality they remained silent, waiting and watching while GPS leaders worked tirelessly to restore Sarawak’s rights.” he said.
He said the Sarawak government was not seeking recognition for the acquisition but wanted the public to understand that the effort to restore the state’s rights had been championed by the state leadership, particularly the Premier.
Royston further urged DAP Sarawak not to mislead the public through what he described as political distortions and said the people of Sarawak were capable of assessing the achievements of the GPS administration in areas such as infrastructure development, economic growth, education, welfare and social development.
“These achievements are recognised not only by the people of Sarawak but also by people outside the state. This gives us confidence that Sarawak has been genuinely well cared for under the leadership of a strong and stable GPS government.
“The people of Sarawak will also judge for themselves the arrogance and disrespect displayed by DAP Sarawak and its leaders, whether from the DAPSY youth wing or the senior leadership of DAP, who continuously attempt to create negative narratives against the GPS government from various angles,” he added
Therefore he said, PBB Youth will continue to challenge baseless statements from any party that deliberately seeks to mislead the public, especially through social media platforms that are easily accessible to all segments of society.
“Our priority is to remain united in ensuring Sarawak’s stability, progress, and prosperity, while rejecting external elements that seek to disrupt the state’s peace and harmony,” said Royston.
