Dennis confident Abg Johari’s wisdom, experience will benefit Sarawakians
TELANG Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau said he is confident the wisdom and experience of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in the administration of the state will greatly benefit the people, including those in the rural areas.
He said Sarawakians, in particular the rural community, should congratulate Abang Johari for coming up with the 2019 Sarawak Budget, which focuses on rural development.
“Overall, this state government budget is the best and largest in history.
“He (Abang Johari) has been able to see how the state government can earn revenue. The federal (government) is not giving us much (allocation), so he has been thinking very hard, since last year when he took over the reins of government, and has been talking, thinking and working very hard to get new revenue stream,” Dennis told The Borneo Post when met after the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday.
Dennis attributed the good governance of the state to the efforts made by the previous state leaders, especially former chief ministers Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem.
“Realising that much focus have been made on development of rural areas, he (Abang Johari) has continued to place such development as the state’s main agenda, leading to sudden and positive change in the rural areas today,” said Dennis, slamming those who claimed that what had been raised by the state government now was because the previous federal government was defeated in the 14th general election.
“No, it (the claim) is not. This planning has been done in the previous years. That is why if you look at the budget allocated in the federal budget for Sarawak, it is very small, not like before, because they know we are not with them,” he added.
Dennis also said Abang Johari was blessed with a gift to think wisely with good planning from years ago.
“He never knew that in the 14th general election, we ( previous Barisan Nasional government) would lose. Despite this, he has put up a long-term plan which became a reality at the right time.
“Imagine if he did not think of this plan first, with the lack of federal funding, we can say we want to develop the rural areas but it will be hard for us to implement the plans due to the lack of funds,” he added.
Dennis revealed that there were also claims made by some parties that because of Barisan Nasional’s defeat, the state government is giving lots of money to the Highland Development Agency (HDA).
“HDA was formed in 2017, and again we never expected BN to lose, so this is also a longterm plan. This brilliant idea comes from our Chief Minister who initiated the HDA, Upper Rajang Development Agency and Northern Region Development Agency.
“This is also thanks to our community who constantly pray to God to bestow wisdom and intelligence to our leaders so that our areas will continue to receive these basic facilities.
“So, that is why this budget is historic, particularly for people in the rural areas. It strengthens the government’s commitment to place rural development as a key government agenda,” he added.