Sarawak Polls: PSB manifesto pledges education, socio-economic reforms and autonomy

KUCHING: The Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) launched its manifesto for the 12th Sarawak State Election today, which focuses on three aspects, namely autonomy and governance, education reform and socio-economic reform.

Apart from that, the PSB manifesto also touches on women's rights, youth, corruption, culture and tradition as well as religion.

For education, PSB, among others, offers to make reforms in the provision of scholarships, reforms in the funding of education, promoting multilingualism and improving local tertiary education.

The manifesto also includes a proposed allocation of RM1 billion to upgrade all schools, including with computers and advanced learning equipment with internet access to facilitate e-learning.

In the socio-economic aspect, the party's focus is on efforts to increase state revenue and economic liberalisation.

PSB also wants to strategically solidify Sarawak State Revenue, including establishing a sovereign wealth fund by increasing the State Government Reserve to RM100 billion through sound financial planning and management, increasing revenue from oil and gas income as well as through pragmatic diversification of economic activities.

On the youth issue, the party proposed a sum of RM10,000 to be given to Sarawak youths, aged 18 to 23, to assist with their job startup.

Here are the three focuses of the PSB 2021 manifesto:

Autonomy and Governance:

1. Freedom of Religion

2. Equal Partners in Malaysia under MA63

3. Regain our Sea Territorial Rights

4. Regain our Petroleum and Gas Rights

5. Fair Share of MP Seats

6. Fair Representation of Peoples in Sarawak Assembly

7. Fair Political and Governmental Structure

8. Constitutional Protection

Education Reform:

1. Reform in Scholarships

2. Reform in Education Management Autonomy

3. Reform in Funding of Education

4. Encourage Multilingualism and Guaranteed in the Sarawak Constitution

5. To Repair and Upgrade Schools

6. Provision of Decent Boarding Hostels

7. Enhance Teachers' Role and Opportunities

8. Mother-tongue Education

9. To Improve Local Tertiary Education

Socio-Economic Reform:

1. Increase State Revenue

2. Economic Priorities

3. Economic Liberalisation

4. Fishermen and Smallholder Farmers

5. Special Provision for SMEs

6. Development Reform

-- BERNAMA