Do your part in helping Sarawak fight for its rights, community leaders reminded
SIBU: Sarawak, under the present leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, has set very clearly the objectives of enabling Sarawakians to enjoy resources from their homeland and also fighting for its rights to be given back to Sarawakians.
In stressing this, Assistant Minister of Housing and Public Health Dr Annuar Rapa’ee pointed out that the onus falls upon the community leaders to ensure that the people would understand the importance of these struggles.
“We are facing a lot of uncertainties in the country, not only politically but also economically.
“There are many uncertainties among all of us – we do not know where our direction is, where the future of the country is,” he spoke at the installation ceremony of Sibu Division Chinese Community Leaders Association ( SDCCLA) for the 2019-2020 term here on Saturday night.
Dr Annuar, who is also the Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research, witnessed the swearing-in ceremony of the assocaition’s new executive committee (exco) led by Temenggong Datuk Vincent Lau Lee Ming.
Adding on, Dr Annuar reminded all Sarawakians to always remain united in the pursuit of ensuring that all the resources and benefits would be enjoyed not only by the present generation, but by the future generations as well.
“I think over the last six months, we have seen the state government embarking on a lot of projects for the benefit of the people of Sarawak.
“Under my ministry, we have been able to secure a lot of funds not only from the federal government, but also from the state government, so that schools could be improved, especially the dilapidated schools.
“For the Chinese schools, I am sure a lot of you here are very keen to know the role of the state government. I am sure the policies of the state government pertaining to the Chinese schools would be continued – if not made better – in the future.”
Dr Annuar said this would include the RM1 billion allocated under the loan contra formula, as announced by the Ministry of Education.
“In other words, we do not depend on the federal government – we use our own money in the form of loan contra so that we are able to build or repair these dilapidated schools.
“The dilapidated schools not only cover national schools, but also some of the Chinese medium schools that are run- down,” he added.
Dr Annuar, who is Nangka assemblyman, also called upon community leaders to work hand in hand with the Sarawak government.
According to him, Sibu is still behind Miri and Bintulu despite having undergone many changes. “Previously we ranked number two in Sarawak, but in term of present development, we are actually behind them ( Miri and Bintulu).
“Therefore it is our role to make sure that whatever development there is, we need it to develop Sibu.
“As one of the leaders from Sibu, I will work hand in hand with all community leaders to ensure that the state government would give more funds to Sibu for its future development.”
Dr Annuar said in terms of infrastructure, he said his side had been briefed by Sibu Municipal Council ( SMC) and some of the local Chinese leaders recently.
“I will follow up all these developments, especially the traffic congestions which, I think, need to be given attention to.
“Because of developments around Sibu, with improvement works on roads from Sarikei and soon, (works on roads) from Kapit as well as Song. We expect to see more traffic coming into Sibu, particularly during the weekends.
“So the issue of traffic congestion has to be addressed carefully in Sibu; otherwise we would be like other cities that suffer bad traffic congestion,” he said, adding that he would bring the matter to the attention of the Chief Minister or the Public Work Department.
Deputy Sibu Resident Wong Hie Sieng and Sibu District Officer Suhaili Mohamed were among those present at the event.