THE Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government has been told to exert its influence and tell the Federal government that the policy of bumiputera companies only being given approval permits (AP) to import recondition cars is not applicable to Sarawak.

State Pakatan Harapan and DAP chief, Chong Chieng Jen said the racial economic policies should have no place in Sarawak.

Urging the government of Premier Abang Johari Openg to lead the nation by moving away from race-based policy to merit-based policy, Chong said it is an opportunity for the GPS state government to prove its mettle and claim that it does not practise racial-based policy.

Chong said even though he is aware the granting of APs is under Miti, a federal ministry, Sarawak has a “strong influence over the federal government” through its five ministers and a deputy prime minister.

He also pointed to precedent cases where Sarawak had managed to alter federal government policies like the one where all government contracts with value of RM50 million or below which was previously to be implemented by the federal government, are now implemented by the state government.

“Therefore, it is not impossible for the state government to dictate and demand that in granting APs to companies to import reconditioned vehicles, while in West Malaysia, Miti can maintain its criteria that it must be “Bumiputra” company, but in Sarawak, the companies need not be “Bumiputra” companies.

“Sarawak GPS should show us Sarawakians and the whole nation that it truly does not subscribe to race-based policies and that it is prepared to lead by example,” he said.

He was alluding to the recent announcement by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) that it will grant an application for open AP for bumiputera companies to import reconditioned vehicles into the country. – June 21, 2024.