SIBU: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is set as a platform that will fight for the people of Sarawak, says Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The Premier noted that the people of Sarawak were lucky as the state was peaceful and harmonious which enabled the state government to implement several development agendas that would change Sarawak into the most advanced state in Malaysia by 2030.
Hence, he said that as Sarawak is a big state, the people wanted bigger allocation and funds to develop Sarawak.
“We need comprehensive long-term planning for long-term development that will have a positive impact on people of diverse races and religions and will have infrastructure development that will provide convenience to urban and rural residents,” he said.
Abang Johari said this in his speech when officiating at the launching ceremony of the Sarawakku Sayang programme at Sibu Civic Centre here today (Nov 4).
The GPS chairman stressed that nobody knew better what was needed by Sarawak except its own people.
“That is why we put GPS as a platform that will fight for the people of Sarawak and we are aware that we have fought for the rights of Sarawakians under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“….. because in MA63, the rights of Sarawak must be defended and Sarawak must progress in parallel with Peninsular Malaysia. So far, we have succeeded,” he said.
Abang Johari also said that the best state revenue at one time was RM6 billion but today it has reached more than RM10 million.
“End of this month I will present the budget. Then you will see the exact figure, but for now, I cannot disclose it. But it is definitely double digits. Never in the history of Sarawak, (the state) having such revenue but I have done it and GPS has done it,” he said.
Abang Johari stressed that GPS played a key role in determining Malaysia’s stability during the political crisis following the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government from the ‘Sheraton Move’ in early 2020.
“Both the previous Perikatan Nasional (PN) and its successor Barisan Nasional (BN)-led federal governments have acknowledged Sarawak’s strong voice in Parliament and this time we will play the same role.
“We have placed 31 candidates and with God’s blessing and assistance, we also want to sweep all the seats, if possible. You know people propose but God disposes. So, we just pray that we will win all the seats and be humble,” he said.
He promised Sarawakians that they would have a bright future and that public facilities and infrastructure in the state would improve as long as GPS is in power as he wanted Sarawak to become the nerve of Malaysia’s economic development.
“If you study Germany, it is a federation. It is one of the powerhouses of Europe. If Germany sneezes, the rest of Europe will also be affected.
“The state that really gives a high growth to Germany is Bavaria. Let Sarawak be the Bavaria of Malaysia. But we need to work together,” he said.
