SEMATAN: The state government has thanked Putrajaya for continuing the Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway project, which is expected to be completed in June 2021.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Open also thanked the federal government for appointing Sarawakian Baru Bian as Works Minister.
He said Baru Bian’s appointment meant the good work started by Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, the previous works minister, would be undertaken “greater understanding”.
Speaking at the launch of the Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway for the Telok Melano-Sematan alignment here today, he said despite Baru Bian being in the Pakatan Harapan camp, the people in Sarawak would put work above politics for the benefit of the state.
Johari and Pakatan Harapan’s Works Minister Baru Bian jointly officiated at the launch.
He felt that only Sarawakians could understand the trials and tribulations of their people and the appointment of Baru Bian bode well for Sarawak despite their political divide.
The chief minister, who is also Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman, urged the people to ignore postings on social media, like Facebook, on the state government’s alleged ‘stormy’ relationship with the federal government.
“Yes, we are the opposition but we are a friendly opposition,” he said of the alliance of the four Sarawak political parties which make up GPS, namely Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Progressive Democratic party (PDP) and Sarawak United People’s party (SUPP).
