“The issues raised are pertinent to the interest of Sarawak and its people,” added See who is also the party’s candidate in Batu Lintang. “We urge the Prime Minister to immediately respond to the issues, as his answers were long overdue.”
He conceded that that there had been a statement from the state government that the United Examination Certificate (UEC) was “recognized”. However, he pointed out, the recognition was invalid. “There’s no recognition from the Federal Government which is in control of the Education Ministry.”
See recalled that a Deputy Minister of Education has cited “national sovereignty” as behind the refusal to recognize the UEC. “The Prime Minister must explain how UEC was linked to ‘national sovereignty’ and when the qualification can receive real recognition in Sarawak.”
“We call for full recognition of UEC for application into public universities and civil service.”
A related issue, continued See, was the use of English as the medium of instruction in primary and secondary schools.
“We call for a review of the education policy to allow the use of English as the medium of instruction in primary and secondary schools in Sarawak.”
Also, said the PKR Sarawak leader, in taking into consideration the consistent pattern of neglect of rural schools in Sarawak, there’s a need for the Sarawak Government to determine the system and policy on education in the state.
“Again, this includes the restoration of English as a medium of instruction in schools.”
“This would enable our future generations to be educated through all medium of instruction to better compete with others globally.”
Lastly, said See, there are the oil and gas related issues in Sarawak which calls for resolution to ensure “petroleum justice”.
Briefly, the Opposition wants to see Sarawak getting 20 per cent oil and gas royalty, up from the present measly 5 per cent; rescission of the 1974 tripartite Petroleum Agreement; and annulment of the Territorial Sea Act 2012.
The Territorial Sea Act 2012 restricts the state’s control of its territorial boundaries to just three nautical miles. “This is unconstitutional,” argued See.
“It effectively undermines the state’s territorial integrity and allows Putrajaya to negate its future claims to revenue from oil and gas and other resources found within the territorial boundary.”
See also called for the 1974 tripartite Petroleum Agreement between the Sarawak Government, Malaysian Government and Petronas to be rescinded on the grounds that it does not serve the best interest of Sarawak and its people. “The state government needs to negotiate for new arrangements and an agreement on how the oil and gas resources in Sarawak should be utilized.”
The people of Sarawak have long been shortchanged on the oil and gas resources extracted from their homeland, stressed See. “Sarawak has rich resources. We are the third largest contributor to the Malaysian GDP (gross domestic product) among all the states.”
However, he lamented, Sarawak’s average household income ranked 8th among all states in the country.