KUCHING, Aug 19: The Sarawak government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg will continue to focus on assisting the people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic through various aids, despite the political turmoil in Peninsular Malaysia.
According to a news report from the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) today, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Abdullah Saidol said he could understand that the people were upset and confused by the Federal government’s leadership crisis, which they feel revolves only around safeguarding the political interests of certain groups, but not the welfare of the people.
He said the embarrassing atmosphere in the recent Parliamentary session gave the impression that most of the leaders of the political parties were frustrated, and did not care about the welfare of the people in their debates.
“Fortunately, the leadership of the Sarawak government is not affected by the political turmoil in Peninsular Malaysia because the Sarawak government, under the leadership of Abang Johari is firmly focused on channelling various aids and assistance towards the welfare and health of Sarawakians,” he said when contacted recently for a comment on the current political crisis.
The Semop assemblyman noted that the strong financial position of Sarawak government has enabled the state to channel assistance of more than RM5 billion and at the same time become the most successful state in the country for its vaccination programme.
Apart from that, the fact that Sarawak is also able to channel various cash aids through the Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) which is now in its seventh iteration is proof that the State’s financial position is strong and managed wisely.
“When the political situation is stable and the pandemic can be controlled, the government affairs which are aimed at taking care of the welfare of the people and the prosperity of the State, can be managed and implemented efficiently and smoothly.
“The lesson to be learned from the political crisis is that the people must choose their leaders and government wisely so that the country and states can be managed by responsible leaders, and not by those who are crazy about power.
“The development and the welfare of the country or state can only be managed properly if our political climate is stable and our leaders place the interest of the people as priority. At the same time, the public should not be easily influenced by propaganda or populist political rhetoric that does not make sense,” he added. — DayakDaily
