KUCHING: Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian described the current GE15 is likely as the ‘most chaotic’ in Malaysian elections thus far.
Sim, speaking at the KKB Engineering Berhad’s 60th anniversary Employee’s Appreciation Night on yesterday night (Nov 5), added that this was because of the number of nominations has reached up to 10 candidates for just one seat (in Malaya).
“So on Nov 19 (polling day), we are going to solve the problem. I have no idea who is going to be the next PM, who’s going to be the next government.
“And after 59 years, for the first time, the UMNO people and Semenanjung people have offered the DPM seat to both Sabah and Sarawak.
“You know why? Because they hate each other and they cannot get along. So they offer the DPM post to Sarawak since we have a proven track record on how to run our state,” Sim said.
Nonetheless, he added that Sarawak leaders do not want just the power but the funds as well.
“We want to take back what is ours so that we can run our own schools and our own hospitals,” he said.
Sim also said the Premier will be announcing the ‘biggest budget’ for Sarawak later this month.
“This year, we are going to introduce the sovereign fund which means that the money that we invested cannot be withdrawn for a period of 20 years,” he said, adding that this method will greatly benefit the people.
“By 2030, Sarawak will be the richest state in Malaysia, most prosperous and most inclusive, and we are very proud to be Sarawakians.
“You all must have the confidence in yourself as Sarawakians. No question about it because by 2030, Sarawak will be the richest state in Malaysia,” he said, citing the Petros oil and gas venture which has generated RM1.5 billion in revenues in the last five years.
On the pandemic, he also commended Sarawakians for handling the situation. Although there were 3,000 death cases, at the same time, the state has also recorded the highest rate of vaccinations being carried out.
On the KKB’S achievement, he also commended the company for being a homegrown welding company 60 years ago to reach a world standard presently.
Meanwhile, KKB’s Executive director Koh Poh Lin said in her opening speech that the some 1,000 employees were feted to the dinner in a show of appreciation by its management.
“Our company has progressed from a humble welding shop into a diversified and public listed company since 1994,” she said.
“Its subsidiary and oil and gas unit, OceanMight Sdn Bhd (OMSB) has been licensed by PETRONAS since 2013 and over the last nine years, it has successfully participated in project scopes ranging from Procurement and Construction to EPC, EPCC and EPCIC,” she added. (EPC stands for Engineering Procurement and Construction; EPCC stands for Engineering Procurement Construction and Commissioning; EPCIC stands for Engineering Procurement Construction Installation and Commissioning.)