PETALING JAYA: Sarawak state minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has slammed Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor for suggesting that Sarawak Barisan Nasional was not a good comrade.
Tengku Adnan, who is Barisan secretary-general, had told the New Straits Times that the state coalition had failed to uphold the spirit of comradeship.
“I expected this to happen, even though the spirit of comradeship dictates that when we are down, all our friends should stay together and fight for the cause, nation and the people,” he was quoted as saying by the daily.
“But since they chose that way (to leave), what can we do? We cannot do anything but we now know who is a friend and who is foe,” he added.
In response, Abdul Karim, the Sarawak Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister, asked if Sarawak Barisan had been treated fairly as a component party.
“Tengku Adnan is the last person who should talk about 'comradeship'. As Umno and Barisan secretary-general, he should ask whether component parties were treated fairly and equally,” Abdul Karim told the Borneo Post.
“He should just shut his mouth and be like other Umno leaders who understand why Sarawak ex-Barisan component parties have to make this stand,” he added.
Abdul Karim, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president, said Sarawak Barisan had also suffered damage from the scandals involving Umno leaders.
“Tengku Adnan and Umno must understand that the rakyat's rejection of Barisan is because of the excesses of Umno and some of its leaders … who lost their original struggle for the rakyat and nation and were overcome with greed.
“Sarawak Barisan was caught in the wake of all the excesses and greed.
“Sarawak parties have to start anew and build up the confidence of the rakyat … on our own. It might be difficult, but we will prevail,” he said.
Abdul Karim said it was neither an easy nor quick decision to leave Barisan.
“Divorce is always painful and as Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said, this decision was made after much deliberation, reflection and discussion.
“It was not easy,” he said.
PBB, Parti Rakyat Sarawak, Progressive Democratic Party and Sarawak United People's Party, left Barisan to form a new state-based coalition called Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS). -TheStar
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