Taib urged to end 1966 ‘emergency’ proclamation

In light of BN's recent success in the Sarawak polls,
PKR vice president Nurul Izzah says chief minister
must deliver on terms detailed in 18-point agreement.

KUCHING: The April 16 decision by Sarawakians to deliver three seats to PKR was a indication of acceptance, according to national vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar.

Clearly thrilled at the delivery, especially since PKR contested in the ‘most difficult and most remote constituencies’, she told FMT on the morning after ’416′ that ‘we must talk about the success…must push for change.’

Sarawak PKR chairman-cum lawyer, Baru Bian wrested Ba Kelalan from Barisan Nasional by a 473 vote majority.

His fraternity colleague and state PKR information chief See Chee How won Batu Lintang and Ali Biju wrested Krian.

The wins, albiet small, was a message to Chief Minister Taib Mahmud, that his administration must change its ways.

Nine days after ’416′, Izzah forwarded her requests to Taib asking him to urge Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to end the Sarawak Proclamation of Emergency 1966.

She also urged Taib to ensure that that the Federal Government fullfil the terms detailed in the 18-point agreement and to compel Putrajaya to increase oil royalties to the state.

PKR under the Pakatan Rakyat coalition has been urging that the Federal Government to increase oil royalties to oil producing states in Malaysia to 20% per cent from the current 5%.

Congratulating Taib and Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) over having secured a two-third majority victory in the recent state election, Izzah said: “Even though polling was marred by incidences of electoral fraud as well as weaknesses in the electoral process by the Election Commission, I admit and honour the victory claimed by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB).

“Thus, to ensure continuity and consistency of the Pakatan national manifesto and our continued efforts to fulfil our promises, I call on the Chief Minister Taib Mahmud to fulfil three requests I have made in a letter sent to him on Monday,” said Nurul.

Recalcitrant federal government

Izzah who is the Lembah Pantai MP said that on March 24 she had submitted a private member’s bill entitled ‘Emergency Revocation Act’ calling for an end to an era of Emergency not only in Sarawak but throughout Malaysia.

“Unfortunately, even though the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Aziz had agreed and had affirmed the readiness of the Attorney General to revoke the emergency proclamations, the federal government remains recalcitrant and unready to revoke these proclamations.

“Not only is the federal government not ready, any private member’s bill on this matter by any Member of Parliament will be rejected by the Speaker of the House,” she said.

Izzah said that her requests to Taib was in keeping with the fact that the Sarawak BN had received a fresh mandate and a second chance to prove its commitment and sincerity to Sarawakians.

“All these claims are made in line with efforts to ensure that this new state government will act to prove its commitment and sincerity to the rakyat in ensuring that their rights and needs are placed in prime position, beyond those of any political leader,” she said.

Although Sarawak PKR officially won only three seats, they are already preparing to file a petition over what they alleged were fraudulent activities in three other constituencies which saw BN win.

According to Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian, Pakatan had sufficient proof to challenge the election results in Senadin, Bawang Assan and Muara Tuang.

Senadin, especially has come under intense scrutiny as PKR’s Micheal Teo lost the seat to BN by 58 votes. During the counting a sudden one-hour power failure occured.

At a recent press conference Bian said the EC had refused to allow a recount for Senadin.

In Bawang Assan, DAP candidate Alice Lau lost to Sarawak United Peoples’ Party deputy secretary general Wong Soon Koh by 1,808 votes.

On Sunday about 100 Iban natives from three longhouses reportedly turned up at the SUPP headquarters in Sibu, where Bawang Assan is situated, to demand for the balance RM400 promised to them if they voted for the SUPP candidate.

As for Muara Tuang, the controversy involved BN’s Mohd Ali Mahmud whose nomination was initially allegedly disqualified for failing to submit his returns when he stood as candidate in 2006 but was later accepted by the EC.

He went on to win Muara Tuang seat by 7843 votes.