MIRI: The Chief Minister has extended his thanks to the state government representatives and their Wisma Putra counterparts over the release of the 47 Malaysian detainees from Banteay Meanchey Provincial Prison in Cambodia yesterday.
Met after attending the Federation of Miri Division Chinese Association Chinese New Year gathering held at a leading hotel herelast night, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg Abang Johari said: “I am indeed very glad that the process of releasing those detainees went well.
“We had sent our delegations to Cambodia led by Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah for the purpose besides those from Wisma Putra.
“Alhamdullilah (Thank God) the process went well and smooth…and the detainees are released,” he said.
“We would like to express our deep appreciation to the Cambodian government and its Prime Minister (Hun Sen) and also Wisma Putra for making the process a success,” Abang Johari said.
The detainees are scheduled to fly back to Sarawak tomorrow.
“It is a goodwill gesture between our country and the Cambodian government…even though no publicity was made during the negotiation process. Thank God everything went smoothly,” he said.
To suggestion by Mirians that the government set up a motoring sport here, the Chief Minister said the state government is planning to develop a motoring circuit in Miri as part of its planning to propel sports tourism here.
Earlier addressing diners at the Federation of the Miri Division Chinese Association Chinese New Year gathering, he reiterated the state government’s plan to further develop the city’s infrastructure which he believes can help boost local tourism.
He said he is confident that policies such as the five per cent tax on petroleum products, the state will be able to carry out its development plans.
“With the tax collection the government can fund many development projects. Besides, we are blessed with the previous leadership who has left us with good financial reserves for Sarawak. Today we have a healthy reserve and clean financial standing,” he said.
Also present at the gathering were Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud; his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Ragad Kurdi Taib; Abang Johari’s wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang; Tourism, Arts, Culture Assistant Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin; Women, Family and Childhood Development Assistant Minister Rosey Yunus; Lambir assemblyman Ripin Lamat; the Federation of the Miri Division Chinese Association president Datuk Hii Teck Yun; and Miri Mayor Adam Yii.
Nearly 500 members of the association were present.
