Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) demands that the Premier of Sarawak immediately and unequivocally declare the official stand of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government on the reported plan to recruit workers from Bangladesh.

The silence and ambiguity from the state leadership are no longer acceptable. Sarawakians are increasingly alarmed by talk of a large-scale influx of Bangladeshi workers, yet the government has failed to provide clear answers. This lack of transparency raises serious concerns about whether decisions affecting the future of Sarawak are being made without proper consultation or regard for the rakyat.

PBK stresses that Sarawak is not merely a labour market to be experimented with. Any move to bring in large numbers of foreign workers—particularly from outside the region—carries significant economic, social, and demographic consequences. The people have every right to question whether such policies will suppress local wages, reduce job opportunities for Sarawakians, and create long-term social challenges.

It is deeply puzzling why the GPS government appears to favour recruitment from Bangladesh when closer and more compatible alternatives exist within ASEAN. Workers from countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian nations are often better aligned in terms of culture, language adaptability, and regional understanding. Ignoring these options raises questions about the decision-making process and whose interests are truly being served.

PBK warns that failure to address these concerns openly will only deepen public distrust. The government must not take lightly the fears of the people, nor dismiss them as mere speculation.

We therefore call on the Premier and the GPS government to:

* Publicly disclose any agreements, plans, or negotiations involving the recruitment of Bangladeshi workers;
* Justify the choice of labour source with clear economic and policy reasoning;
* Prioritise employment opportunities and fair wages for Sarawakians;
* Explore and prioritise regional labour alternatives within ASEAN; and
* Engage transparently with the public before implementing any large-scale foreign labour policy.

It is speculated that sarawak has about 150,000 foreign workers - depriving locals of jobs.

Sarawak belongs to its people. Decisions that will shape its workforce and future must be made with accountability, transparency, and above all, the interests of Sarawakians first.

Voon Lee Shan
President
Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK)