CM says cooperation with PH in the overall interest of the state’s development and progress
SPAOH: The state government is always willing and ready to co-operate with the federal government, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg reiterated today.
He said this was for the overall development and progress of the state.
“But if their policies are bad for us, we will reject them,” he said.
He said this at a Leaders-meet-the People session which was also attended by his deputy Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Datuk Seri Michael Manyin and Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian.
The gathering was held at the local community hall.
Abang Johari insisted that at the regional and local levels, the state should be ruled by leaders of local parties.
“In this way we can implement our own development policies and plan with minimum interference from the central government or having to gain consensus of all parties like when we were with the Barisan Nasional,” he said.
“When we ourselves are in control we can continue the fight that was started by the late chief minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem,” he said.
“The GPS government’s policy is always to prioritise Sarawak and its people.”
He gave the assurance that he would deliver all promises made to the people.
“With the help of my colleagues, of course!” he said.
“I am not a liar. Lying is a sin and I do not want to be questioned about unfulfilled promises or lying in the afterlife.
“Just give us time to implement our policies as big development projects always need careful planning before they can be implemented.
“There is no element of hanky-panky as we have also engaged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to work with us.”
On his two-day visit to Betong Division, he said it was to see the situation on the ground up close.
He noted that Betong had great potentials for modern agriculture, so the government would develop the required infrastructure which would include building an airport near Spaoh and enhancing the digital infrastructure which involves the building of 39 telecommunication towers.
At the same function, Abang Johari also announced the approval of a number of projects for Spaoh that include a sports complex costing RM14 million, Sungai Spaoh Waterfront beautification project costing RM6.4million, a RM4.6-million new sub-district office, a new steel-truss bridge crossing Paku River costing RM5.7 million and a RM35-million Surie/Turie Road.
Later Abang Johari visited Luban Ulu near here where he performed an earth-breaking ceremony for a telecom tower costing about RM1 million belonging to Sarawak Multimedia Authority.
At the function he said the state government planned to build 300 such towers statewide this year at a cost of RM1 billion.
“Then next year we will build 300 more to transform the state to stress more on digital management and the digital economy,” he said.
