Focus on real progress for Sarawak, not finger-pointing over MA63, says Dapsy man

Borneo Post

5 days ago

Wong King Yii
KUCHING (July 26): There is a need for greater accountability and focus on real progress in addressing Sarawak's development needs and Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) rights, rather than placing blame on current federal efforts.
In stating this, Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (Dapsy) Sarawak treasurer Wong King Yii said Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap was wrong to question the significance of the federal government's efforts to reduce national borrowings.
'With respect, YB Wilfred Yap's argument that such efforts are meaningless if Sarawak continues to be sidelined seems somewhat misplaced,' he said in a statement issued in response to Yap's recent remarks.
Wong said reducing borrowings from RM99 billion in 2021 to RM77 billion in 2023 was not 'meaningless', but a sign of responsible governance.
'It means less public debt, stronger investor confidence, and a healthier economy for future generations.
'If anything, this is precisely the kind of financial discipline we need to ensure there's actually money left for meaningful development, including in Sarawak,' he said.
Wong said the state government, of which Yap's Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) is part of, had enjoyed decades of full political alignment with the federal government.
He claimed, however, that during that time, basic infrastructure, healthcare, education, and equitable development in many parts of Sarawak, had been neglected.
'The question isn't why Sarawak is only getting attention now, it's why nothing was done before.'
Wong credited the Unity Government for several key developments benefitting Sarawak, including the handover of Bintulu Port and MASwings to the state; the historic Petronas-Petros settlement; and increased annual grants under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.
'Importantly, all of this was achieved while the federal government reduced borrowing – not increased them,' he added.
Wong noted Yap's recent public comments about the MA63 and called for Sarawak's rights to be upheld, saying that Dapsy welcomed all views on the issue.
However, Wong said Sarawakians rightfully expected more than just statements; rather, they expected action.
'Public expressions of concern must be accompanied by meaningful efforts, especially when the Premier of Sarawak is already actively engaged in ongoing MA63 negotiations with the federal government,' he said.
Wong urged Yap to reflect not only on federal policy matters, but also on the role his own coalition in the Sarawak government could play, claiming that there had been many opportunities to act on MA63 within the state's own administration.
'Let us all do our part to move beyond rhetoric and toward real outcomes for the people of Sarawak,' he said. DAPSY lead MA63 Wilfred Yap