LINGGA: The election manifestos of Malaya-based coalitions should not be treated as a bible, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said this when asked by the media to comment on Perikatan Nasional (PN), Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) manifestos which also touches on issues concerning Sarawak.
“Our manifesto is based on Aku Janji while the manifestos by those ‘across the sea’ (Peninsula-based coalitions) are not the bible.
“So which one do you want to trust? That’s the issue,” he said after officiating at the Sarawakku Sayang programme held at Dataran Pekan Lingga, today (Nov 12).
BN’s manifesto contains 99 pledges, including promises to develop Sabah and Sarawak in line “with the spirit of the Federal Constitution” and uphold equitable development between East and West Malaysia.
Sabah and Sarawak would be made the new security hub and be developed as new economic giants.
Meanwhile, PH has promised to have two deputy prime ministers – one from the peninsula and another from East Malaysia – in its manifesto.
As for PN, the coalition has pledged to implement Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) as soon as possible, open more universities in Sabah and Sarawak and direct payment to state government for petroleum income based on the Petroleum Development Act (PDA 1974).
Abang Johari in his speech earlier urged Sarawakians to not merely believe the manifesto by the opposition parties as the Malay saying goes, “jangan pisang berbuah dua kali” (to not let the same issue happen twice).
“Those are merely promises. However, the GPS government places Sarawakians’ interest as their utmost priority, only Sarawakians can look after Sarawak,” he reiterated.
