See, in a statement, said over the past two years, political leaders in Sarawak on both sides of the divide had shown that it was “Sarawak First” when it came to the rights and interests of Sarawak.
“Hence, we have witnessed an evolution of a nourishing and meaningful Sarawakian nationalism,” he said, adding that this was a unique political progression not seen elsewhere in the country.
“However, I take exception to Ting’s unnecessary use of the ‘Malayan’ label with a contemptuous statement that they do not understand the minds of true Sarawakians.”
See said political leaders in the state should emphasise and continue to inspire inclusiveness of all Sarawakians to strengthen their “voice” in negotiations to get back Sarawak’s autonomous powers.
See, the Batu Lintang assemblyman said SUPP president Sim and secretary-general Ting, should therefore not advocate isolationism and xenophobia which would only divide and weaken the Sarawakian resolve.
He said Sim and Ting should heed the advice of Abdullah Saidol, the chief political secretary of Chief Minister Adenan Satem, that the substance of Sarawak’s claims from Putrajaya are within the fundamental provisions of the Malaysia Agreement and within the ambit of the Constitution.
Abdullah had said the argument whether Sarawak was a state or region was merely a question of “form”.
See also reminded Ting that SUPP joined the Malaysian Alliance in 1970 and was one of the founding partners of Barisan Nasional, as well as part of the coalition government that had proposed and passed the 1976 constitutional amendment which changed Sabah and Sarawak’s status.
Prior to this, Ting had slammed See for saying that Sim was playing to the gallery when the latter said Sarawakians should not consider Sarawak as just another state.
Ting said he was not surprised with See’s statement as no “Malayan or Malayan Opposition parties” would ever understand the minds of Sarawakians.
See, however, stressed that the term “states” did not undermine the constructions and formulation of the provisions contained in the Malaysia Agreement 1963.