Johari rallies Sarawakians against being misled by outsiders
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is ready to face the challenges of changing times as “Anak Sarawak” (son of Sarawak) and “Chief Minister of all Sarawakians”.
Johari said while there was no stopping globalisation, if there must be change, he would help make that change, not non-Sarawakians.
He said rural Sarawak was now in touch with the latest public issues, including the rights of indigenous peoples and the struggle to protect the natural environment.
“This provides an avenue for the opposition political parties to enter the heartland and bring disquiet to the hearts of our indigenous people,” the chief minister said in his winding up speech yesterday.
“I think these are the signs of the times and I am not going to stop that.
“Instead, if the rural people want change, I shall help you to bring about the change that you want.
“I am always, first and foremost, an Anak Sarawak who is the Chief Minister of all Sarawakians.
“Let us not be taken advantage of by non-Sarawak political parties in Sarawak politics.
“How can Peninsular (Malaysia) political parties help the indigenous people of Sarawak when they cannot help the Orang Asli to enter the mainstream?
“I would not be the one to prejudge what our indigenous communities really want. Instead, I choose to listen to your leaders and I respond to their requests accordingly.”
Earlier, Johari said Sarawak’s rural development was probably one of the most challenging areas to properly develop.
He said the greatest challenge was the creation of economic value out of the rural resources, much of which had been used by the indigenous communities to sustain their traditional ways of life.
He said the state’s policy on rural development took into consideration the depleting resources and the exodus of rural youths to town in search of modern life.
“That is why we want to focus on rural development so that our rural areas can be modernised and become new towns to attract the youths back,” he said.
Johari went on to say that State Budget 2019 put aside RM6bil to meet requests for basic infrastructure and amenities across Sarawak’s interior and hinterland from Lundu, Serian, Betong, and Kapit to Baram, Limbang and Lawas.
“When water, electricity, road and IT connectivity is developed, the cost of doing business will fall and they will open greater economic opportunities in the rural areas from which local communities can organise among themselves and their community leaders concerning production, harvesting, processing, marketing and sales and exports, “In other words, they will open up activities across all economic sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, finance and services,” he said.
• Excerpts of winding-up speech on page 9 ( New Sarawak Tribune newspaper )
