MIRI, Sept 5: Sarawak is expected to have another major source of income in the near future, revealed Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Although he did not disclose the details, he nevertheless indicated that it would be coming from the annual allocation based on Article 112 of the Federal Constitution.
“At this juncture I can’t reveal the details yet. Sarawak is asking for the formula on the distribution of national income. If the national income is high, there must be a formula on how much allocation be given to Sarawak.
“This is based on Article 112 of the Federal Constitution. So, this is not completed yet, we will continue to struggle for it. That’s our right under Article 112 of the Federal Constitution,” said Abang Johari at PBB Special Convention for North Zone Sarawak held at a leading hotel here today.
He revealed that in 2019, under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, Sarawak was allocated with RM36 million under such an allocation.
Abang Johari stressed that with more income, Sarawak under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will continue to develop the state in all sectors of its economy.
“With extra income such as from our State Sales Tax, we will be able to develop Sarawak especially in the rural areas such as roads, bridges, schools and amenities,” he stressed.
On another issue, Abang Johari, who is also the president of PBB asserted that Sarawak will also be fighting for better representation in Parliament so that both Sarawak and Sabah be given one third of the total seats in Parliament.
“This is part of our struggle which we will continue to pursue because after Singapore left Malaysia in 1965, all the Parliamentary seats were given to Malaya,” he said, adding that it was not healthy for nation building, as a result of that Sarawak’s rights were then slowly eroded.
On politics, he hit out at PH leaders for failing to assist Sarawak when it was in power for 22 months, after it cancelled major projects such as bridges, roads and dilapidated schools.
“And after the Prime Minister (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) resigned, we in GPS were asked by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong about our stand. So, we decided to support Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to lead the country under Perikatan Nasional (PN),” he reiterated.
On a personal note, he hoped PBB members and leaders will continue to strengthen the party and not be easily dismayed if they were not elected into any position.
“In 1987, when we faced internal crisis, I and few other leaders stick with PBB while others left to fight against us.
“This should not be the case, in life there are ups and downs. It is when we are down that we have to struggle with honesty because it will show that whether we are sincere or not. And if we are sincere in helping our people, God will bless us,” he stressed.
On the convention, he revealed besides holding it in Miri, such convention will also be held in Sibu, Betong and Kuching soon.-DayakDaily
