SARAWAK CRISIS Dismissed Minister’s Party Leaves Govt.

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31090, 20 June 1966, Page 13

SARAWAK CRISIS Dismissed Minister’s Party Leaves Govt.

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter —Copyright)

HUGHING (Sarawak), June 19. The political crisis in the East Malaysian State of Sarawak deepened today.

Dato Kalong Ningkan, who was dismissed as the State Chief Minister last week, announced the withdrawal of the Sarawak National Party from the ruling alliance.

Dato Ningkan, who had earlier announced that he would seek a court ruling on his dismissal by the Sarawak Governor, Tun Abang Openg, said that his party would now go into opposition.

He said that he expected two other parties in the alliance —Party Negara and the Sarawak Chinese Association would also join him in the opposition.

He made the statement after a meeting among leaders of the Sarawak National Party (S.N.A.P.), Party Negara and the Sarawak Chinese Association at his home to consider their stand.

The withdrawal of the three parties from the alliance would leave only the PesakaBarjasa coalition which would have a difficult working majority of only five, including three ex-officio members.

Dato Ningkan’s party has six seats in the Council Negri (state legislative assembly) while Party Negara and the Sarawak Chinese Association have three each.

The Left-wing opposition Sarawak United People’s Party has five seats while Party Machinda has one; there is one independent. There are 15 Pesaka members and five Berjasa in the Council Negri. Meanwhile, Penghulu Tawi Sli, who was appointed as the new Chief Minister of Sarawak on Friday, is still in Kuala Lumpur trying to work out the composition of his state Cabinet. The Governor of Sarawak dissolved the Cabinet of the state government, took control of legislative powers and swore in Penghulu Tawi as the Chief Minister.

Dato Ningkan, who refused to resign despite calls for him to do so from the Malaysian

Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, has announced his intention to contest his removal in the courts.

Observers say that the Sarawak Chinese Association, which had been asked to join the new government, was anxious to preserve the Sarawak alliance—but only if both the Sarawak National Party and Party Negara remained In it.

In Kuala Lumpur, Penghulu Tawi told a press conference: “My government will carry out the true alliance policy, unlike the government of Dato Ningkan, which was more a dictatorship. He often flouted party policy. “We will not do anything that will damage the interests of any group or person whatever his racial origin may be. provided he gives undivided loyalty to Sarawak especially and Malaysia generally.” Rumours Denied He also denied rumours that the government under his leadership would oppress the Chinese community. “The allegation that the central government is going to compulsorily assume the administration of Sarawak is also completely false. “Every citizen of whatever race will receive equal treatment and will derive benefit from development projects carried out by my government,” Penghulu Tawi said.

He also labelled as false an allegation that Dato Ningkan’s dismissal was unconstitutional.

“What was done was strictly in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of Sarawak,” he said.

Frozen Lamb.— The possibility of New Zealand frozen lamb being admitted to France during the northern spring when no lamb is available is to be examined by New Zealand and French trade officers in Paris.—Paris, June 19.