By LYNCH COWAN
Abang Jo says publicity may sometimes derail efforts to undertake tasks successfully
SRI AMAN: Sometimes a bit of silence is better when doing certain government or government-related tasks, especially where unnecessary publicity can be detrimental to the planned outcome.
“At times we do work silently. We don’t always need publicity with a lot of noise as certain parties like to do,” said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He was speaking at the Tionghua community Chinese New Year celebration here, yesterday.
In an apparent reference to the state government’s recent success in securing the release of 47 Malaysians, 40 of whom are Sarawakians, from the Banteay Meanchey provincial prison in Cambodia, Abang Johari said publicity was not desirable all the time.
What was important was the good that was achieved for society.
“Thank God we successfully brought back the 40 Sarawakians with all costs paid by the state government.
“As long as we can do something that benefits our people, that is all that matters,” he said.
Speaking of festivals as something that was good, he said Sarawakians celebrated Chinese New Year, Gawai Dayak, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Christmas together and unconsciously fostered unity in the long run.
“As said by the late Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, the Chinese people who were born and raised here are not immigrants (pendatang asing),” he said.
“They are regular Sarawakians too. We do so many things together that no one can separate us.”
On the state’s immigration autonomy, he promised that it would continue to be defended because, for one thing, it was important for keeping extreme and disruptive outside influences at bay.
Moving on to the state’s revenue, he said the 5% sales tax on exported petroleum and petroleum products would generate an estimated RM3.8 billion which should be sufficient to fund infrastructure development in Sarawak.
Sri Aman Chinese community leader Temenggong Kueh Aik Seng, in his speech, said Abang Johari’s visit was a historic occasion for his people.
“This is the second time that the chief minister is celebrating the Chinese New Year with the Tionghua community here. The first time was in 1987,” he said.
Taking advantage of the visit, he appealed to the Chief Minister to build a second bridge across Batang Lupar to connect the town with Pasir Panas and Sinjor, shortening the distance from 72km to 24km.
He also asked for the town’s piped water system to be upgraded as residents were experiencing water shortage from time to time.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Douglas Uggah Umbas, Assistant Minister of Community Wellbeing Datuk Francis Harden and Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan were among the dignitaries present Chinese New Year gathering.
