By Karen Bong
MIRI, Jan 29: Sarawak must thank the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem for initiating the Pan Borneo Highway project as without him, Sarawak would not have embarked on road-building to connect the entire state.
Highlighting this, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg pointed out that the present federal government must continue with the road infrastructure development.
“There are certain people who claimed that it was their work but it (Pan Borneo Highway) was started by Tok Nan. How can Pan Borneo Highway be built in two years? It started way earlier.
“And now we, GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) are continuing with the coastal road development which is under construction now from Kuching up to Bintulu,” he said at the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Miri-Sibuti Chinese New Year celebration at a hotel here tonight.
The state government, he emphasised, was planning on extending the coastal road building to connect Miri to Limbang and Lawas so to give infrastructure to all coastal areas which have high population densities.
“We also have a plan for greater Miri in which the coastal city will be supported by the hinterland on both sides,” he said.
The Marudi Bridge connecting Miri with Marudi and Baram, he explained, will become the hinterland on the other side of Miri.
“We are also developing Sibuti as Niah Cave which has a 60,000 years of pre-human history is a strong attraction. We are planning to build a bridge crossing Sibuti as well as a track that can fit a buggy car to enable elderly visitors to visit the cave as well.
“Agriculture and tourism will become very important sectors, besides other investments coming in as well,” he added.
With ongoing plans to develop Miri, Abang Johari emphasised the need to make sure GPS remained the governing party up until 2030 and beyond to realise the vision to make Sarawak an advanced and developed state in Malaysia.
“It will definitely have a positive impact on the development of Sarawak. So don’t gamble with the future. If things are good and going well, we continue what’s good for the sake of our children’s future.
He also urged people to reflect on what the state government had achieved so far and think of the kind of future they want for Sarawak.
“Our peaceful and harmonious living conditions must be safeguarded because it is the key for the state to leapfrog its development and economy.
“There are a lot of grey areas and uncertainty in Malaysia’s current landscape including the question of what is going to happen in May, whether the Prime Minister (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) will continue or not,” he said.
Abang Johari emphasised that Sarawak was different as it is certain of its path which in turn gave confidence to investors.
“Sarawak is very stable, friendly, the government is innovative and financially strong. But don’t gamble like wanting to try for a change which a slip may cause many regrets,” he reminded.
“When we have a stable government and leaders who are concerned about the future of the state and its people, I can assure you GPS will continue to fight and Sarawak and Sarawakians will be the first priority.
“As we celebrate the Year of Rat this year, let us also be smart like the rat in making better decisions for the future of Sarawak and that we really look after ourselves,” he added. —DayakDaily
