TWO Sarawak civil rights groups are asking the ruling Pakatan Harapan government “to make clear unequivocally” whether their electoral promises to root out corruption, abuse of power, cronyism and nepotism also apply to Sarawak.

The groups – Solidariti anak Sarawak and Sarawak 4 Sarawakians – raised the question after a picture emerged showing a smiling PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim and Julau MP Larry Sng standing beside Sarawak Governor Abdul Taib Mahmud following their courtesy call on Taib at his residence in Kuching on Saturday.

Taib’s critics, both at home and abroad, have accused him of corruption when he was the chief minister from 1981 to 2014. The photo, say his critics, suggest that PH is condoning corruption.

No formal charges have ever been brought against the 82 year-old head of state.

In June, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said authorities have not taken any action against Taib as no formal complaints had been lodged against him.

The groups’ spokesman Peter John Jaban has warned that failure by PH to live up to its election promise of having a “clean government” could go against it in the Sarawak state election in three years time.

He said PH, as a peninsular-based coalition, will not find it so easy to penetrate a state where the return of the state’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 remained the primary issue in any state election.

Jaban said as Sarawakians are painfully aware of the effects of corruption in their home state and at federal level, PH must offer voters a real and meaningful alternative for a better future.

He said the promise of a cleaner and more responsive government during the 14th general election was why PH was able to win so many unexpected seats in Sarawak.

“But, these photos seem to suggest that they intend to maintain the status quo in Sarawak, where oil revenue will also be a decisive issue in the next state election.

“To see Anwar Ibrahim standing next to the very man who oversaw the passing of the Petroleum Development Act 1974, under which Sarawak was stripped of control over its own natural resources, puts PH in a very difficult position,” Jaban said.

The activist said it would be a grave mistake to think that Sarawakians could not grasp the significance of the photo.

“The people of Sarawak have watched the developments such as a threatened ban of Petronas workers from West Malaysia, the setting up of Petros, cases against Petronas brought and dropped, and private meetings and negotiations with great interest,” he said.

“This has happened amid whispers of Taib’s vested interest and a failure by PH to stand by their election promise of a 20% oil royalty to the state on the basis that a clean-up operation would be required before Sarawak could be entrusted with so much revenue.

“Now we see the incoming leader of PKR standing next to Taib himself.

“With zero transparency from either side, Sarawakians can only speculate as to the kind of deals that are being done.

“Malaysia has just demonstrated the power of the ballot box.

“But, photos like these only serve to muddy the waters and it is up to PH to clear them with open communication as to what they are offering Sarawak.

“Only then can the people decide what is in their own best interest,” Jaban said. – September 10, 2018.