KUCHING: A deputy prime minister without authority or power is meaningless.
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg knows this only too well which is why he is insisting that the position of deputy prime minister proposed to Sarawak by Malayan coalitions after the 15th general election must come with power.
The Premier said if the position offered was just merely holding that position without being able to do anything, then it would be meaningless.
“To have a post of a deputy prime minister is not important if we don’t have actual power.
“This is why it is important for Gabungan Party Sarawak (GPS) to have a strong mandate; it would be good to win all 31 seats so that we can have a stronger representation from Sarawak in the parliament.
“This will ensure that we have a bigger bargaining chip to be able to get back our rights and demand what Sarawak deserves,” he said.
He was speaking during the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) political talk for Bandar Kuching and Stampin near the Aeroville Mall here, last night (Nov 16).
Abang Johari, who is the coalition chairman, also stressed the importance of fulfilling the promises given to the Sarawakians.
“As you all know, a certain party has promised that it’ll return what’s ours to us like the 20 percent oil royalty in the previous election and look at what happened now?
“Mana ada (where are all the promises)? Kong pun bo yong (pointless to even talk further about it),” he said.
Unlike GPS, he said, it fulfilled what it promised the people.
“In last year’s manifesto (for Sarawak election), I said I want to set up a sovereign fund for the future of Sarawakians and next week I will tabling the Bill in DUN (Sarawak Legislative Assembly).
“People always say that it is important to prepare an umbrella before it rains and that is what I am doing and I can promise you all that we are going to have a bright future,” Abang Johari added.
He said the opposition from Malaya will not put Sarawak’s interest first.
“As an example, do you see the rocket symbol? When a rocket is launched into space, it never comes back. Even if it does, it will probably end up in the Indian Ocean.
“What I am trying to say is that they (Democratic Action Party) will not put Sarawakians interests first.
“Since that is the case, we might as well just say bye-bye to them in this election. There is a reason why our logo, the hornbill, depicts it feeding its bini (wife), like what we (GPS) will do which is taking care of all Sarawakians,” he said.
At the same time, he appealed to voters to wake up early on Nov 19 and come out to vote.
“As long as I am your Premier, I can assure you that I will fulfil my promises to you.
“When you see the logo ‘burung Kenyalang’ (hornbill) don’t be mistaken with the other one (Parti Bumi Kenyalang or PBK),” said Abang Johari.
Later, he presented a grant of RM1 million to Lo San Miaw Temple Kuching, RM100,000 to Nam Fah Tian Temple and RM80,000 to St. Faith’s Church Kuching.
Among those present were Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, GPS candidate for Stampin Lo Khere Chiang, GPS candidate for Bandar Kuching Eric Tay, Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap, SUPP Women chief Kho Teck Wan and Kuching South City Council mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng.
