GPS will deliver election pledges: Abang Jo

KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) vows to deliver on the 34 promises made under the coalition’s election manifesto.
GPS chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg asserted; “To me, a promise is a promise, and we must deliver what we have promised,” he assured at the GPS Appreciation Dinner held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here on Wednesday (Jan 5).
“To those who have been given responsibility, we must carry out our responsibility sincerely and develop our state towards 2030. We have a lot of work to do,” he said.
He attributed GPS’ landslide victory in the recently concluded state election to the close cooperation among the coalition members.
“We humbly accept what has been decided by the people. Even though the victory is huge, the responsibility is also heavy. We have 34 promises in our manifesto which we have to implement,” he said.
As such, he said he had been meticulous in setting up the new State Cabinet as one that could unite in fulfilling the 34 pledges.
“Our direction is also different with the new economy and new challenges towards 2030, certainly our methods and approaches will change,” he added.
Abang Johari called on GPS members not to be arrogant over winning 76 out of 82 seats, pointing out that it might be a challenge for GPS to defend these 76 seats in the future.
“We have to change a bit for us to meet the demand of the young. We will look into this for the future,” he said.
He recalled that the recent state election had been very challenging due to the uncertain circumstances and the Emergency order, on top of the state government running on ‘injury time’.
“We did not have a mandate anymore but were still governing the state under powers of the emergency declared by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“As such, we were in a rather complicated situation – whether to have the election or not – because it depended on the COVID-19 situation in the state,” he said.
He expressed thankfulness that the Emergency was lifted earlier than originally scheduled, thus paving the way for the state election to be held. He said this was fortunate as the state election could be held before the arrival of the Omicron variant and monsoon season.
“I would like to once again congratulate all the GPS leaders and also our workers,” he said.
Abang Johari also conveyed the congratulatory messages received for GPS’ success in the state election, including from the nation’s leaders, the government of Singapore and the Sultan of Brunei.
He said both Singapore and Brunei expressed their support and hopes for close cooperation with the GPS state government.
Also present were Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) acting president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) vice-president Datuk Henry Harry Jinep representing PDP president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, and other dignitaries.