KUCHING, Feb 13: A recent dialogue session between Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s and foreign investors organised by the Malaysian French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Cyberjaya saw the premier being an unexpected proponent of GPS-led Sarawak.
In a press statement from Sarawak United People’s Party Women Chief Kho Teck Wan, she highlighted how Dr Mahathir stated that Sabah and Sarawak had good governance, as he assured foreign investors that the ongoing tussle between the federal government, and the Bornean states could be ironed out.
He was also reported to have said that Sarawak was the richest state in Malaysia with a budget of RM11 billion compared to other states.
“I would like to thank the Prime Minister of Malaysia for his vote of confidence in Gabungan Parti Sarawak,” said Kho.
“However, Dr Mahathir’s confidence in the economic status and governance of Sarawak under GPS is contrary to the concerns expressed by his cabinet member, the Minister of Finance Lim Guan Eng, and the Assistant Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumerism Chong Chien Jen.”
She recalled how Lim had warned Sarawakians in June 2019 that with the state budget of RM11 billion and state reserve at RM 31 billion, Sarawak would go bankrupt in three years’ time.
Chong had echoed this warning by stating that Sarawak was heading down the path of bankruptcy if continued to be ruled by GPS during Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s 2020 budget reading in November 2019.
“Sarawakians, and Malaysians in general, should evaluate Sarawak’s financial performance based on its international credit rating,” she said, reminding that under GPS, Sarawak had earned global confidence when S&P Global Ratings gave it an ‘A-‘ rating with stable earnings outlook in December 2020.
“Baseless bankruptcy warnings made by the Finance Minister of Malaysia as well as Chong, who is a Sarawakian himself, are selfish acts.
“Their actions clearly prove that these YBs are characters who are willing to sacrifice Sarawak’s potential earning and reputation, merely for their short term political gains.”
“Instead of trying to sabotage Sarawak’s financial status, I would like to urge Chong to focus on realising Pakatan Harapan’s promises to Sarawak which are to give 20 per cent oil royalty, to return the 50 per cent tax collected back to Sarawak, and to return the autonomies of education and healthcare back to Sarawak.” —DayakDaily
