KUCHING: Assemblyman for Batu Kitang, Lo Khere Chiang expressed his annoyance at the way DAP MP, Chong Chieng Jen talked with a very negative attitude on the Chief Minister’s announcement on the Sarawak oil and gas issue. Lo lambasted Chong for not talking like a Sarawakian. “At least Johari Jo is making every effort to gain back Sarawak rights as best as he could. What Chong gained for Sarawak? He is doing the opposite.
Instead of helping Johari by standing with him, Chong is pouring cold water on Johari’s sincere and positive efforts to gain back Sarawak’s rights. “The authority over land still lies with the state government. Our Chief Minister rightfully says that any wish to prospect for oil over Sarawak’s land needs the approval of the state.
“We have a farsighted Chief Minister who set up Sarawak’s very own oil company, to explore oil ourselves. We will work with Petronas but it does not mean that we cannot work with other oil companies one of these days and who can give us better returns for the benefit of Sarawak,” he said.
He added, Johari has opened the door of opportunities in the oil and gas industry for Sarawak and it is now up to our capable and diligent Sarawakians to pursue this dream, to have a say on the control over our own resources, to gain back Sarawak’s rights inch by inch and to enrich Sarawak for all Sarawakians.
”Sarawak needs a capable captain to lead and steer us to achieve greater social and economic prosperity. It is a fact that Chong, coming from a Malayan based party is unable to lead Sarawak to achieve Sarawak’s autonomy. That leaves Johari to lead Sarawak.
“Since Chong cannot lead Sarawak, I advise Chong to throw his fullest support behind Johari and to lobby all his Pakatan brothers and sisters to press for constitutional changes in Parliament in favour of MA63, which is in favour of all Sarawakians,” he said.
Lo added that Nancy Shukri, a Minister under the Prime Minister’s Department has been appointed by Johari to head the negotiation for constitutional amendment for Sarawak. “As we cannot wait for the complete constitutional amendment to take effect, Johari is taking positive steps to ensure that we Sarawakians will benefit from what we should for now,” Lo stressed.
On the digital issue, he pointed out that digital technology is the way to go in order to increase productivity and efficiency. It is through digital technology that Sarawakians can move ahead and be on par with the rest of the world.
