Divided Sarawak will lose everything to ‘outsiders’
MIRI: Sarawakians must have an unbreakable political resilience to stave off attempts by ‘outsiders’ to disunite them.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said although Sarawakians are just over two million, compared to Malaya’s 23 million people, they can still effectively defend the state if they are united.
“My call to Sarawakians is, let us unite like the proverbial bundle of sticks, for strength. No one can break us. Sarawak will not fall to outsiders if we are united like the bundled sticks,” Abang Johari said to about 2,000 diners who came for the Persatuan Kayan Sarawak (PKS) fundraising dinner gathering entitled ‘Peng Pahlung Pahu Kayan’ here on Saturday night.
“But Sarawakians will not have the political strength if we are disunited, as are the sticks that will easily be broken when they are on their own and not bundled together,” he warned.
Abang Johari said Sarawakians must know there is so much at stake for them to allow outsiders to rule over them.
“We will lose our resources, our identity, and our unique culture and traditions if outsiders rule over us,” he warned.
He said Sarawak still has a lot to do to get back all its eroded rights as enshrined in Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
He said history shows that outsiders are not interested in fighting for these rights to be given back to Sarawakians.
“We must look after ourselves. We must govern ourselves,” he pointed out.
“Only Sarawakians know what Sarawakians want. Outsiders don’t.
“Unlike the politicians from Malaya, we never give empty promises. When we promise something to the people, we fulfill them. Some of our promises take time to get implemented but that’s because I don’t have the Alladdin lamp.”
Abang Jo went on to mention some of the development projects that have been implemented or are being carried out by the state government.
“We have built the Long Lama bridge. Now we are in the process of building the Marudi bridge and waterfront, the Belaga waterfront, and so forth,” he said.
These projects, he added, reflected the state government’s commitment to fulfilling its promises to the people.
At the event, Abang Johari also reiterated his vision for Sarawak: “I want to transform Sarawak into the most developed state by 2030.
“The state will move forward on its own mould like the famous Sarawak ‘Kek Lapis’ (layer cake).”
At the event, Abang Johari announced a RM100,000 allocation for PKS to assist the Kayans in education.
Among those present at the event were Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin; Tourism, Arts and Culture Assistant Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting; Welfare & Community Wellbing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Assistant Minister Rosey Yunus; Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni; Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau; and PKS president and director of the administrative unit in the Chief Minister’s Office Datuk Anthonio Kahti Galis.
