SIBU: The overwhelming support for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) by the Chinese community in the last state election prompted the Sarawak government to appoint a Chinese deputy premier.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said he reciprocated by appointing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian as Deputy Premier.
“Being an independent political platform, GPS is the only true defender of Sarawak’s rights and privileges under the Constitution and Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) while other political parties are influenced by their non-Sarawak-based party leaders.
“The notion that Sarawak put an opposition in Parliament to fight for Sarawak or to ‘make noise’ is a false belief, especially now that GPS can speak freely to agree on what is good for Sarawak and disagree if it is detrimental,” he said at the Chinese New Year dinner hosted by Sibu United Chinese Association (UCA) at a leading hotel here, on Wednesday (Jan 25).
Abang Johari‘s text of speech was read by Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud was the guest of honour, accompanied by his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib.
The Premier noted that GPS has made some achievements to accord due recognition to the spirit of the MA63.
“Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution was amended to reinstate equal status to Sarawak, Sabah, and Peninsular Malaysia as parties to the formation of Malaysia.
“Among them are oil and gas rights leading to the commercial settlement agreement (CSA) and full control of onshore oil and gas, recognition of Sarawak’s right to charge SST, gas distribution rights to Sarawak and deep sea fishing licensing rights,” he said.
Meanwhile, Fatimah said the state government through her ministry has implemented various initiatives to help the less fortunate.
The Dalat assemblywomen noted that among the initiative are Bantuan Ibu Bersalin (BIB), Endowment Fund Sarawak (EFS), Geran Tahunan Khas (GTK) and Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC).
“Applications for these assistance can be done online by downloading the iSarawakCare application which can be found on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. You can also visit https://isarawakcare.sarawak.gov.my for more information,” she said.
During the dinner, federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing allocated RM50,000 to UCA and RM10,000 each to its women and youth units.
Among those present were Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, Lanang MP Alice Lau, Deputy Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister Michael Tiang, Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng, Sibu MP Oscar Ling, Senator Robert Lau, Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Clarence Ting, UCA Sibu president Lau Ing Siong, and organising chairman Hii Yik Ping.
