KUCHING: Sarawak had to work hard for its money due to not having enough support from the federal government previously.
Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said this in turn gave the state the impetus to, as announced by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, collect its highest revenue in history last year, bringing in RM11.9 billion.
“Sarawak has been in Malaysia for 60 years but in the last decade, we created three major milestones that many may not have realised.
“One, being the achievements under the leadership of H ead of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who was Chief Minister before 2014, after the achievements between 2014 and 2018 under the leadership of the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, and from 2018 until now, the achievements under the leadership of our Premier.
“As you can see these are three important milestones and under the leadership of our Premier, he decided to form Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and start building our own sovereign fund to take care of our people,” Sim told reporters at the Batu Kawah Chinese New Year gathering held at the Batu Kawah Chung Hua community hall on Saturday.
“Under the previous federal administration, for example in 2018, they only offered RM40 million to us and wanted us to sign an agreement to take the money.
“That is when our Premier realised we have to rely on ourselves to earn our own revenue instead of relying on the federal government, and finally as you can see, Sarawak achieved the huge milestone as announced by the Premier a few days ago,” Sim added.
He emphasised that Sarawak’s success was also due to the existing unity and harmony among the people.
