KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has spelt it out loud and clear – he wants Chinese representatives in government.
This is to ensure the continued progress of programmes put in place by the GPS government to bring the state to greater heights, he said.
Abang Johari said it was therefore imperative the Chinese community backs the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), since it is a coalition partner.
“We want the Chinese in government, and GPS cannot be in government without the Chinese. The Chinese have to be together in government with us.
“Prof Sim (SUPP president and Batu Kawah incumbent Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian) and his comrades must be there (in government) for us to develop the state,” he said before officiating at the launch of Phase 1 and 2 of the Batu Kawah Riverbank Park on Monday (Nov 8).
Abang Johari who is caretaker chief minister said that there was still much development to be implemented in the state and thus the GPS government and the Chinese community needed to continue working hand in hand.
“I appointed Dr Sim to take care of the Chinese schools and now the Chinese schools automatically get an allocation of RM10 million a year,” he said.
He added that during the time of his predecessor, the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, and now the present state government, the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) had continued to be recognised.
“It would be a waste if Sarawak does not recognise UEC because universities in Singapore, Australia and the United States recognise it, so do we (Sarawak).
“This is important because we want our people to be educated so that they can help develop our state,” he said, adding that this was unlike some parties who said they would recognise UEC, to no avail until now.
Abang Johari said Sarawak would have a bright future provided it had dedicated leaders, just like Dr Sim whom he credited with working really hard.
“Even when he takes his weekly laksa, he would still go to the ground to meet people after that. Unlike some, who only talk when the election comes but do not deliver what they promised.
“So, ‘jangan biarkan pisang berbuah dua kali’ (don’t let history repeat itself),” said Abang Johari, without elaborating.
Meanwhile, Dr Sim said that the GPS government under the leadership of Abang Johari had always been inclusive to all irrespective of race.
“The stability of the government is so important to carry out things that we need to do for our people,” he said.
In Sarawak, he said, SUPP and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) have been good partners over the last 40 years.
“This has ensured the backbone of stability, and later on was joined by Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) ad Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).
“So, whatever we commit, we will continue to deliver for the betterment of Sarawakians,” said Dr Sim.
