KUCHING: There is no doubt that many view GPS as the right platform to prepare Sarawak to be a progressive and highly developed state in the country in decades to come.
Sarawakians in general feel the coalition’s formation gives them renewed hope and confidence to see a better Sarawak for everyone.
Here are the views of three successful entrepreneurs:
Datuk Richard Wee, businessman, president of the Hockien Association, and president of the Federation of Chinese Associations Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions.
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Wee sees the pull out of Sarawak parties from Barisan Nasional (BN) as inevitable following the coalition’s poor performance in Peninsular Malaysia in the 14th general election and the subsequent formation of GPS.
He attributes BN’s loss of power to perceived nepotism and cronyism as well as alleged scandals within the coalition.
On GPS, he says that as a Sarawakian, he welcomes its formation because he sees the need for local-based parties to rally together for the sake of Sarawakians, reasoning that there is a need for concentrated and focused attention on the further development of the state in terms of infrastructure, education and business.
He recognises Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg as a true-blue Sarawakian and a charismatic leader who will fight for the state’s rights in line with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Constitution.
Wee commends Johari for the imposition of the 5 percent oil and gas tax and sees the move as the right one to stamp our constitutionally given authority over Sarawak and to create a new income stream for the government to implement and continue with the state’s development agenda.
Appealing to Sarawakians to rally behind the leadership of Johari, he believes that the people will support GPS so long as the coalition continues to implement people-centric policies, which have the people’s interests at heart.
Without discounting the need for money he takes cognizance of the fact that there are policies that do not require money as well. He recognises that the government needs to be prudent and spend wisely.
He recognises Johari’s push for a digital economy as a farsighted policy and an effort to leapfrog Sarawak into the digital age and bring the state to a different level.
He also recognises that the GPS will have to exercise political will to solve land issues, be it NCR issues or house ownership.
The goal in his mind is that all farmers will have ample land to continue their farming activities and that all Sarawakians will own their own homes. He suggests that in the urban centres GPS should look into mechanisms to allow house owners to purchase 999 leaseholds for their houses should they choose to do so.
Another of his suggestion is for the state government to subsidise hospitalisation for Sarawakians.
He thanks the GPS government and Johari for the increasing annual grants given to Chinese schools and the recognition given to the UEC certificate.
This will encourage more students who choose Chinese Independent Schools to look at government service as a career as it is not an available option to them prior to the recognition of the UEC certificate.
Jonathan Chai, secretary general of the Sarawak Business Federation, secretary general of Kuching Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and Industry, vice president of the Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sarawak, and a national Council member of the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry Malaysia.
Chai says it was the right move to form a state-based coalition after the last general election.
“BN is no longer a popular choice in the local political arena after GE14,” he says.
With the state election to be held in two years’ time, it is therefore timely for the state ruling coalition to rebrand themselves.
“Tactically, their intention is to tell Sarawakians that only local parties could defend their rights and interest especially in their quest for devolution of power and to regain the autonomy in accordance with MA63,” he adds.
“Like most Sarawakians, I hope all elected representatives from both sides of political divide will work together in reclaiming what are rightfully ours based on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the Constitution.”
On GPS, he hopes “it will live up to the expectations of all Sarawakians to steer the state towards a developed state with a high income economy by 2030 or sooner, preserve the racial and religious harmony of our homeland, maintain the noble approach of moderation in its administration and most importantly, rule our state with transparency and accountability with the interest of rakyat at heart.”
Sim Kiang Chiok, chairman of Sheda Kuching, property developer and member of SUPP Central Working Committee.
He views the formation of GPS as the right move to protect the rights of Sarawak and its people.
Sim has great confidence in the leadership of Johari, saying he is the right leader to propel Sarawak to greater heights.
“Our CM will protect Sarawak and see to it that some of the rights are returned to us. GPS is the vehicle and we should give our undivided support and loyalty to the coalition.”
