Sarawak can bank on the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to protect the state’s constitutional rights.
Former State Legislative Assembly (DUN) speaker Datuk Seri Robert Jacob Ridu said the GPS coalition government had fared well in safeguarding these rights and upheld the state’s autonomy.
Describing this as a way forward, he agreed that autonomy for Sarawak was the right move, saying the state was on the right path with proper strategies laid down by the Premier and his cabinet colleagues.
“The state is very fortunate that our leaders have managed and continued to insulate ourselves from the dysfunctions that exist in the federal system.
“They have put a stem on our state autonomy and managed to get many of Sarawak’s constitutional rights positioned in the Federal Constitution.
“It is fantastic and the state government can concentrate on Sarawak and the people’s interests which have been rather secondary to what is happening in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.
Ridu pointed out that the Premier was bringing about many new things, especially strategies that the state government was pursuing with emphasis on economic and infrastructure developments.
GPS, PBB as the backbone, is making sound decisions to give Sarawak a guaranteed and better future.
“With the fourth industrial revolution where we need to be more competitive, the state government has made very definitive directions on education where the young people can get better education concentrating on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
“This is to beef up the young people so they have the chance to compete in a globalised world. The young people have many potentials and roles that they can play.”
Describing the Premier as a man with visions, he expressed hope that young Sarawakians would be encouraged and inspired by the various efforts and initiatives undertaken by the government.
“The future is for the young people. I am hopeful that they will be encouraged and inspired because we are competing in a globalised world,” Ridu said.
