By Nigel Edgar
SEBUYAU, April 18: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is seething mad with the federal government.
“How can we trust a government that does not fulfil its promises? They promised the bridges in Sarawak to be built. But then they cancelled it. (But) suddenly, the Minister of Works passed allocation to build 28 bridges in Sabah recently.
“That’s why I’m furious,” he said at the launching of Zone 5 Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) branches here this afternoon.
Zone 5 branches are Sadong Jaya, Simunjan, Gedong, Sebuyau, Lingga and Beting Maro.
The chief minister also said for the federal government to claim that it was giving what is best for Sarawak was “uncalled for”, especially when it comes to amending the Federal Constitution.
“Sarawak’s affairs, let Sarawakians deal with them. Only Sarawakians know Sarawak best. They (Peninsula Malaysians) would not know how to develop the multi-racial and multi-religious communities of Sarawak.
“You see, they only recognise the Malays, Chinese and Indians as Malaysians, while the Bumiputera natives of Sarawak are ‘lain-lain’.”
Abang Johari said Putrajaya should not continue to sideline Sarawak, especially now that it is the new Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.
He, however, assured the thousands of villagers and community leaders present at the launching ceremony that the GPS state government would always fulfil its promises as it had always done, like when it took over the bridge constructions all over the state after the federal government cancelled them all.
“We promise, we fulfil, not like across there (federal government). We will defend our Sarawak rights. Do not be afraid. We have the Constitution. This is our land.
“GPS will continue to fight for Sarawak and Sarawakians’ rights. I being the chief minister is not important. I can be replaced. It is the fight for Sarawak that is important.
“We just want Sarawak to be peaceful, harmonious, and the most developed state by 2030 according to our own mould. That is our aspiration.”
At the gathering, he announced an allocation of RM500 million to build a retaining wall along the coastline from Sebuyau to Asajaya. — DayakDaily
