SARAWAK would probably have completed all necessary infrastructure, water and electricity projects by now had the State Sales Tax (SST) been introduced earlier.
Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said this would have been possible had opposition leader and Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, who was the Finance Minister for 15 years from 2004 to 2018, introduced the 5 per cent SST on petroleum products during his time.
“We may even be halfway to our trillion US dollar Sovereign Fund like Norway,” Dr Sim said this at the August House today.
Dr Sim said Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) also owed Sarawakians an apology.
“DAP leaders had insinuated that Sarawak would be bankrupt in three years, along with other similar malicious remarks.
“I am saddened by the state representative from Padungan, who is Sarawak DAP chairman (Chong Chieng Jen) for continuing to defend his Malaya boss by pusing-pusing (harping) on the topic of ‘Sarawak Bankrupt in three years’.
“Not only is Sarawak not bankrupt after three years, but we are even stronger financially.
“Sarawak DAP, if you are so scared of your boss in Peninsular Malaysia, how would you be able to defend Sarawak let alone fight for Sarawak?”
He also described Sarawak DAP’s priorities as ‘Malaysia first’ rather than ‘Sarawak first’.
“Never forget, all the members of this August House and MPs from Sarawak are Sarawakians, elected by the people of Sarawak and must fight for Sarawak first and foremost,” he reminded.
