SIBU: Sarawak must continue to remain united under the leadership of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in the Federation of Malaysia to ensure that the state’s rights to land and natural resources can be defended, said Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew.
He said Sarawak’s political strength today is the result of unity and strong leadership under GPS, especially under the leadership of Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“If our politics are weak, Sarawak will face great difficulties. Today, Sarawak is in a strong position because we are united,” he said at the presentation of cheques for Minor Rural Projects (MRP) to 106 Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK) of longhouses from the Bawang Assan area, held at Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Sibu headquarters here today (Jan 24).
Lau, a lawyer by profession, stressed that Sarawak’s representatives at the Federal level, particularly in the Senate and the Dewan Rakyat, play an important role in defending the state’s interests, especially when facing major issues involving Sarawak’s rights.
He referred to the issue of Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS)’s actions in challenging Sarawak’s laws relating to land and natural resources, while stressing that the rights to the land and resources belonged to Sarawak based on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“Just as the Iban community defended their customary land, so too did the people of Sarawak have an obligation to defend Sarawak’s rights to its land and resources,” he said.
According to him, the establishment of PETRONAS in 1974 occurred after the formation of Malaysia, and the matter needed to be understood in the context of Sarawak’s rights enshrined since the early days of the nation’s establishment.
Commenting on the MRP allocation, Robert Lau said a total of 106 JKKKs received grants this time, which were channeled through the Sarawak Government’s special allocation to Senators of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
He explained that although he was a Federal Senator and not a state representative, the Sarawak Government under the leadership of the Premier had allocated special funds every year to enable Senators to serve and assist the people of the state.
“This allocation is symbolic of the Sarawak Government’s commitment to the people. State revenue now reaches billions of ringgit a year and is used for development, especially in the field of education,” he said.
Lau also stressed that the state government’s policy of prioritising education, including the construction of schools, free education and opportunities to continue studies up to universities owned by the Sarawak government, is proof of GPS’s clear direction in developing the state.
Meanwhile, he called on the local residents to continue to support SUPP and GPS, stating that the party’s struggle for over 60 years has never changed, namely defending Sarawak’s rights.
