MIRI, Nov 15: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has described Sarawak-based political parties touting independence for Sarawak as just daydreaming and incapable of delivering on their promises, as opposed to GPS.
He said their aspirations are unrealistic and thus are unable to be fulfilled, not unlike the character of Mat Jenin who daydreamt of being rich but did not progress beyond looking at coconuts and waiting for them to fall from the tree.
“GPS is not dreaming, we will perform just as we delivered this building to you,” he said in his speech during the launching of the new Miri City Hall building here today.
He recalled that Miri City Council (MCC) mayor Adam Yii had in the past requested funds from the Sarawak government to build the new city hall during a council dinner which the former attended.
As such, Abang Johari said the GPS government provided the funds to MCC to build the city hall then.
Today, he noted, the GPS government has delivered on its promises.
On the new building, Abang Johari said it symbolises the unity of the Sarawak government, local government and the people of Sarawak; prosperity of Miri city; and the multi-ethnic population living in the city.
Apart from that, he emphasised that unity, racial harmony and political stability are important for Sarawak’s progress and economic development.
He explained that even if a country is rich in resources but there is no political stability, foreign investors will not invest there.
As for Sarawak, in particular Miri, he said a stable government under GPS has attracted multinationals such as Shell Malaysia to move its headquarters from Kuala Lumpur to the city.
At the event, Minister for Local Government and Housing Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian said the GPS government has provided political stability to Sarawak through Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) since the 1970s.
This, he added, has enabled people-centric projects to be implemented.
Citing the change of government at the federal level, he said the proposal to seek federal funding to set up a cancer centre in Sarawak was derailed due to changes in the premiership.
Hence, Dr Sim stressed that political stability is crucial for people-centric projects such as a cancer centre to be established in Sarawak for the benefit of Sarawakians.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan, Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Sebastian Ting, and Yii were among those present at the event. — DayakDaily
