Sarawak senators, MPs vital in defending state fights at federal level, says Lau

SIBU (Jan 25): Senators and MPs from Sarawak play a crucial role at the federal level in safeguarding the state’s rights, particularly amid ongoing legal challenges involving the state’s laws on land and natural resources.

Sarawak Senator Robert Lau said their presence and voices in Parliament are increasingly vital, especially following legal action initiated by Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) that, in essence, questions Sarawak’s legislative authority over land and natural resources.

“When Sarawak Senators and MPs met with the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, recently, he highlighted this issue and stressed the need for our voices at the federal level,” he said.

“If we remain silent, our rights could once again be eroded as they were over the past 50 years. That is why the Premier needs us to speak up and defend Sarawak’s rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” he added.

Robert was speaking at the Minor Rural Project (MRP) cheque presentation ceremony involving 106 Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK) from the N.53 Bawang Assan constituency, held at the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) headquarters in Kampung Datu.

As a Senator, Robert said his primary responsibility is to protect Sarawak’s interests at the federal level.

“State assemblymen fight for Sarawak within the state, but issues involving federal jurisdiction must be raised and defended in Parliament.

“That is why Sarawak’s representatives in both the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara are extremely important, now and in the future,” he stressed.

“If our representatives fail to speak up, Sarawak risks losing its rights again, as experienced for decades in the past.”

On the MRP funds, Robert described them as a reflection of the Sarawak government’s strong commitment to the welfare of its people.

He noted that state revenue, including sales tax, now amounts to billions of ringgit annually and is channelled back into Sarawak’s development, particularly in education.

“Priority is given to building schools, strengthening basic education and providing opportunities for higher education at Sarawak-owned universities, including free education in various fields of study,” said the adviser to SUPP Bawang Assan.

He added that the funds originated from the Sarawak government and were allocated to GPS Senators through special provisions approved by the Premier.

Meanwhile, SUPP Bawang Assan chairman Councillor Kevin Lau expressed gratitude for the RM5 million Rural Transformation Project (RTP) allocation received in 2023 and 2024 through the Premier’s special allocation for development projects in the Bawang Assan area.

“This allocation was made possible through the support of party leadership and the Sarawak government, particularly the Premier, as well as the Deputy Premiers and state leadership. It benefits the entire Bawang Assan constituency, including both Chinese and Iban communities,” he said.

Kevin thanked the state leadership for continuing to prioritise development in Bawang Assan and expressed hope that the funds would be fully utilised to organise activities that strengthen unity and support those in need.

“My hope is that we continue working together to build a caring society and develop Bawang Assan into a more progressive constituency,” he said.

“All projects and initiatives implemented are not individual achievements, but the result of collective effort and strong support from the community.

“You raise your needs to us, and we bring those voices to the state leadership, with the support of Senator Robert, to find the best possible solutions,” he concluded.