CM needs solid backing in negotiations with Putrajaya — Abg Johari

KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem and his team need solid support from the people for him to acquire higher bargaining power in negotiations with the federal government on certain key matters.

Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said this would include the support from the Chinese community because with the Chinese voice backing him said, he (Adenan) could speak louder in Putrajaya.

“We want to elect his (Adenan’s) team. Forget about who is the candidate — as long as he is (with) Barisan Nasional (BN),” he said at the Federation of Kuching Division Community Association’s Chinese New Year dinner on Saturday.

Abang Johari, who is also Tourism Minister, was representing Adenan at the event.

“CM said we must have a strong government in Sarawak. If Kuala Lumpur argues, let them be — in Sarawak, don’t argue, because this will only weaken the government,” he said.

According to Abang Johari, currently there are laws or legislations that overlap between the state and federal governments, and Adenan wants to put this

We want to elect his (Adenan’s) team. Forget about who is the candidate — as long as he is (with) Barisan Nasional (BN).

Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Housing Minister

right.

“This is being negotiated with the Prime Minister ( Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak).

“For example, the state takes care of the rivers, but if saltwater enters the river, it is under the federal government’s authority. This is not right. Right now, the CM is in the second phase of negotiation with the PM.”

Abang Johari also echoed Adenan’s assurance that the Chinese were no longer ‘pendatang’ (immigrants), but Malaysian citizens with equal rights.

He said that the state has helped in terms of Chinese education, increasing the allocations for Chinese schools, and recognising the United Examination Certificate ( UEC).

Apart from that, Adenan is in the process of abolishing the quit rent, which should benefit Chinese farming community as a whole.

Meanwhile, Abang Johari said instead of calling for Chinese representatives in local councils, the Chinese should focus on getting more members of their community into the cabinet, in response to the speech by the federation’s chairman Dato Sim Swee Yong earlier.

At the event, Abang Johari also announced an allocation of RM230,000, which translated into RM10,000 for each of the 23 associations under the federation.

In his speech, Sim said there were requests by various bodies and non- governmental organisations ( NGOS) calling for Kuching North City Commission ( DBKU) to appoint a Chinese deputy mayor and an additional director or councillor for the areas in and around Sungai Maong and Green Road.

“We hope that the government could revisit this proposal, which is intended as an input channel for the Chinese who are the majority residents in these areas.

“This proposal could also become another avenue for the government and people to come together effectively.”

Abang Johari (fifth right) and his wife Datin Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang (on his right) join Sim (sixth left), event organising chairman Bong Lok Phin (fifth left) and other federation members to cut the cake at the gathering.