Sabah, Sarawak to change history soon, Anwar predicts

By Clara Chooi

September 05, 2010

Anwar is increasingly confident of how the Borneo electorate feel about government change.

KELANA JAYA, Sept 5 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim claimed tonight that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) had successfully worked its magic in the Barisan Nasional (BN) fortresses of Sabah and Sarawak, and predicts that the two East Malaysian states would lead the charge in changing the country's history.

Speaking to a small but highly-charged crowd at the Pesta Borneo programme in the PKNS Sports Complex, the PR de facto leader explained that he was reassured of this when he visited Limbang and Lawas in Sarawak last week.

“Now, I am absolutely confident that the history of Malaysia will change because of the people of Sabah and Sarawak.

“We have had our independence for more than 50 years and now, we will change... change for justice, for human rights, for respect. You will determine the history of Malaysia,” he said.

His words were met with thunderous applause from the crowd of East Malaysian youths, one of whom even stood up on his chair to lead the crowd to louder cheers.

“Malaysia is a land of justice. Men and women here were born free. So we must be able to accept and respect each of our differences and honour the constitutional guarantee of freedom and justice for all Malaysians,” he said.

Anwar noted that during his trip last week, his observation of the people in Sarawak showed him that East Malaysians badly yearned for change.

“There is a very encouraging trend now in Sabah and Sarawak. There is a greater awareness there... contrary to the media interpretation.

“There are people there who actually want change and justice and they want to defend their rights to their land. If this is the trend, then Sabah and Sarawak will determine the future of the nation,” he said.

Anwar urged the youths to ensure that they counted themselves in the equation, pointing out that they would be the ones responsible for the nation's future.

“So please... be counted. We have a responsibility. We fight not because we harbour grudges, not because we want to steal the land of others but because we want the rights to our own.

“We do not steal the rights of others but we fight for our own. This is a very important beginning and we will persevere until we see a united, just Malaysia,” he said.

Anwar's romantic words worked wonders in the crowd and although small in numbers, their cheers filled the hall like they were thousands.

Outside the function later, Anwar said he was confident the PR had done its job well and right in Sabah and Sarawak.

“I am very confident that we will do very well (in the Sarawak elections). We are working the ground and I see all.. the Dayaks, the Malays, Chinese, everyone working hard together,” he said.

He noted that PR's preparations for the impending Sarawak polls were on track and announced that a major function would be held this September 15 in Sabah.

Move to oust DAP state assemblyman KUCHING – Sarawak Democratic Action Party met yesterday morning to discus disciplinary action against the state assemblyman for Batu Lintang and its former treasurer, Voon Lee Shan. It is understood that the decision was not unanimous: two wanted him to be expelled; nine wanted him suspended, while three wanted a warning to be given to Voon. “It was expected because some senior members in the party had openly voiced that disciplinary action should be taken against me. It all happened after I made a reply to unfounded allegations made by a party member against me who, in his Facebook, alleged that I was not an asset to the party,” Voon said. He said: “I had to reply because if not, it would affect my credibility as a party leader and as an elected representative of the people. I had done my part although not the best. Like a footballer, I only could play in certain positions, but, not all positions. “I had played my part and there were also threats to my life, but only very few people knew about this. I now have to pay the price for opening my mouth. There were others who could open their mouth, but nothing happened to them,” Voon said. He said that just before the party state election, he was accused to have wanted to topple (State DAP chairman) Wong Ho Leng and to take over as chairman. Silent campaign Since then, he said a silent campaign was mounted against him and did not realise such a move was to get rid of him from the state committee. “Maybe, I know too much and could be dangerous….Of course, there are people who said that I was a disobedient servant, very difficult to control. I still remember when I first joined DAP, I was asked who my mentor was in guiding me in politics and I replied I had none. “I only support issues that are right and would abstain from what is wrong. If an inquiry be held, I hope the public be given the opportunity to participate and to find out for themselves what actually had happened and what was the motive behind all these moves. “I also want the public to judge me whether I was wrong or not. The public should have a say because I was elected by the people and was paid from public fund,” he added. - Malaysian Mirror