By Karen Bong
KUCHING, April 1: Sarawak will look after herself as only Sarawakians as an extended family know what is best for Sarawak.
Emphasising this, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg wants this to be maintained for Sarawak as her people are best able to settle problems within this small family.
“Sarawakians as (an) extended family will look after ourselves because we know what we need and we can settle our problems in our small family.
“Let this way be maintained because Sarawakians know best about Sarawak. So we have to look after ourselves,” he told guests at the state dinner held in conjunction with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s two-day visit to Sarawak at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex here.
Giving the illustration of Malaysia as a large family with Muhyiddin as the head of the family, Abang Johari acknowledged that it is not easy to lead a nation especially in terms of administrating the country given that the needs of the respective states and territories must be looked after fairly and well.
“As with a large family, it will definitely have many children including the extended family and (the head of the family will) have to try and meet the wishes and needs of all the children including the extended family.
“There will certainly be some conflicts and disputes but we can always resolve them. The extended family will know how to manage their own family but need advice from the head of the family.
“If this extended family is happy, the large family of Malaysia will also be happy,” he added while pointing out that Malaysia is fortunate to have a head of family (Muhyiddin) who cares deeply for his children.
As Malaysia and Sarawak are still facing the significant challenges posed by Covid-19, Abang Johari highlighted the importance of a stable government and thus pledged support for Muhyiddin to continue leading the nation.
“Sarawak under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leadership, we need a stable government so that’s why we in GPS will give our support to the Prime Minister.
“What’s important is our unity and we can overcome any problems brought about by Covid-19,” he said.
Abang Johari believes that Muhyiddin is well aware of Sarawak’s wishes as this is not his first visit to the State but the first as the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
“I hope we can have the support and encouragement as we develop the State together with our counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia.
“Sarawak is currently in such a good and peaceful condition where the leaders and community are together in developing this State based on our policies with hopes Sarawak will continue to progress despite the changing landscape until 2030,” he added. — DayakDaily
