IT is distasteful for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to blackmail Sarawak in withholding development funds should voters make a “wrong decision”.
This is contrary to the spirit of his own slogan Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family) where he is purposely trying to anak tirikan (sideline) and punish people just because they may choose to vote differently.
No Sarawakians shall be deprived even when they vote differently.
I demand the Prime Minister to apologise to all Sarawakians for openly threatening to take away something from us with something that is rightfully ours to begin with.
This is an open threat to the people of Sarawak and an insult to the intelligence of our people.
For far too long, even though Sarawak has been part of the federal government for the past 50 over years, we are still so far behind in terms of development compared to other regions in the country. Do we want to continue to be at mercy of such leadership?
It is the responsibility of the government of the day to bring development to the people regardless of their political inclination.
Public funds are derived from taxes paid by everyone regardless of who they vote for.
In the spirit of democracy, nobody should be punished for their vote; any government that uses this to threaten the people should be rejected at all cost.
‘Development politics’ are part of old politics that we all should reject. Voters should be given the choice to evaluate each candidate and party based on their vision, direction, and track record.
That is why, the slogan of Keluarga Malaysia is mere rhetoric if they are willing to side-line and anak tirikan (Sarawak just because we may not want to follow the order of the Prime Minister from Putrajaya.
We shall not bow down to such a submissive mindset at the mercy of Putrajaya it is absolutely disgusting.
Sarawakians have seen the same faces in power for too long, yet little change has gone to improve the livelihood of many. Does Sarawak deserve this?
I would like to urge all voters to reject such archaic blackmail tactics by the Prime Minister. Let Sarawakians themselves decide their future and not adhere to the Pembuli Keluarga Malaysia of Barisan Nasional (BN) and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS). – Dec 5, 2021
Kelvin Yii is the DAP MP for Bandar Kuching.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
