CM to announce more good news in Sept, Oct this year
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has promised to bring more good news in September and October this year.
He said there were a lot more he wanted to do for the people and Sarawak in order to achieve the aspiration of becoming the most advanced state in Malaysia by 2030.
“I need more time because I am still doing my homework. The two good news I am hoping to announce later will further strengthen the position of Sarawak according to the Constitution,” he said.
“The news I would bring in September later will benefit the creative youth by providing them an avenue to access to opportunities to develop and showcase their creative potentials either in writing or poetry, but most importantly promote and offer to the world the values and diversity of our social culture,” he explained.
Abang Johari disclosed this at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) 14th Convention appreciation dinner here on Tuesday night.
As for the good news in October, he hinted that there would be a boost in the financial aspect of digital development that in turn would expand the economic opportunities in both urban and rural areas.
“It is for this reason I dared to announce the RM8-billion water grid plan for the entire Sarawak besides LRT ( light rail transit) for urban areas. And coupled with cyber connectivity, this will modernise our economy,” he said.
“The monstrous infrastructure development if can be done in three years will certainly ensure Sarawak head towards becoming the most remarkable state in Malaysia by 2030,” he added.
With 14th general election (GE14) looming, Abang Johari hopes Sarawak Barisan Nasional ( BN) will emerge victorious as he trusts PBB will make a clean sweep of all the seats it will be contesting.
“I do not know when it (GE14)
I need more time because I am still doing my homework. The two good news I am hoping to announce later will further strengthen the position of Sarawak according to the Constitution. Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Chief Minister
will be held but we just get ready. I feel it is nearing and that’s why I have informed all to not take leave in this one or two months from now,” he said.
“This means we will be going down to the ground and in this GE, we will take into account the contributions by our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib ( Tun Razak) as compared to Tun Dr Mahathir ( Mohamad) who will be the leader of Pakatan Harapan (PH),” he added.
Abang Johari reiterated that Najib is an open-minded and liberal leader whether or not he has ‘intentionally or accidentally’ (at this opportune time) returned Sarawak her rights in oil and gas.
“PH boasted about decentralising of power but it was in Dr Mahathir’s era that he wanted to take control of Sarawak Electricity Supply Corporation (Sesco), but when I asked Najib for Bakun Hydro, he gave it back to the state government without second thought,” he elaborated.
“It was also in that era due to the merger of financial institutions policy which saw the downfall of banks such as Hock Hua Bank, Kwong Lee Bank and Bank Utama. The banks have been ‘swallowed’ so now we do not have our banks,” he added.
These were facts of what transpired under the rule of Dr Mahathir for 22 years, Abang Johari reminded, which was aimed at none other than centralisation of power.
“Now PH speaks about decentralising (of power) and who wants to believe that. So what will happen if they come,” he said.
“In PBB, we have to protect our rights and build (the state) on our own. The destiny of Sarawak must be decided by Sarawakians, nobody else!” he exclaimed, while urging all to work together.
Sarawak, he continued, needed a stable government and BN had proven to be a good government unlike Pakatan which still lacked a concrete foundation to hold itself as a pact.
“We are strong particularly because our parties are Sarawakbased. So we work together and with the mandate given to me, I will do my best without taking things for granted and with your assistance and support, including experts and professionals in all fields, we will achieve 2030 (vision),” he assured.
The chief minister’s wife Datin Patinggi Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang; Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas; Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof; Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi; Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin; Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah; State Legislative Assembly ( DUN) Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar; DUN Deputy Speaker Datuk Gerawat Gala; Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datu Len Talif Salleh; Assistant Minister of Coastal Road Datuk Julaihi Narawi and Assistant Minister of E- Commerce Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais were among those present.