Masing gives warning to outsiders

By Simon Peter

KUCHING, May 15, 2014: Land Development Minister James Masing has warned "outsiders" not to take political  disagreements and differences among Sarawakians as signs of disunity.

"Sarawakians may fight over methods, we may disagree on definitions of things, but we do not fight on our goals which can benefit all Sarawakians. 

"I would like to tell outsiders not to assume polemics variance among us as disagreement over what are good for Sarawakians," he said when winding the debate in the Sarawak State Legislative today. 

"May I put a gentle warning on those who wish to divide us, or those who misunderstood our common needs with this phrase: “You touch on issue which is dear to Sarawak, you will get the wrath of all Sarawakians; you touch one, you touch all,” he said.

He said events in the past few days in the State Legislative Assembly have shown that the elected representatives from the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat they are capable of speaking in one voice on issues affecting and benefitting the State.

"In spite of some heated arguments on certain issues which is expected, this sitting created history. 

"For the first time in my 31 years in this august House, members of the opposition came together with members of Barisan Nasional and voted unanimously on the matter which concern all Sarawakians, and that is requesting the Federal Government to increase our oil royalty up to 20 %," he said.

He added:"We may not be in the same boat.  We may not be sleeping on the same bed.  It does not really matter as long as we row toward the same destination and dream the same dream. 

"The divergence in opinions, the difference of methods in seeking the same goal is expected in a multi-racial society like Malaysia, provided that along the way we do not destroy the boat on which we sit in and row, or dismantle the bed on which we sleep.

"The unanimous decision we  had on the motion pertaining to the oil and gas royalty in this sitting is a warning to those who think less of us or those who wish us ill. 

"Sarawakians may fight over methods, we may disagree on definitions of things, but we do not fight on our goals which can benefit all Sarawakians,"  Masing, who is also Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president, said.

He urged members of the august House stand together with him in fighting against those who wish to destroy the livelihood of the rural communities by telling them to plant, where to plant and how to plant oil palms or other crops.  

"Please help me to defend our rights so all Sarawakians can have better life in manner that we want," he said.