By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Jan 5: Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Dato Sri Tiong King Sing has reminded his Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) comrades to not merely soak in the adoration of the people and then ignore them in this “long marathon” of serving the people.
Tiong, who won the Dudong seat for GPS in the 12th Sarawak Election with a confident majority, said GPS will have to be wary and cannot afford to be complacent as the people of Sarawak have once again entrusted their hope and future in the coalition to lead them in the right direction.
“We need to be guided by continuous improvement and self-reflection in order to gain and maintain the people’s trust and support.
“To do this, we must have the courage to self-monitor introspectively, to be self-critical and correct ourselves. We must be realistic. We are public servants entrusted by the people to manage government affairs and solve their livelihood issues.
“Our first task must be to serve them, not to serve ourselves, or for power or status,” he said in his text-of-speech read by party vice president Datuk Henry Harry Jinep at the 12th Sarawak Election workers appreciation night held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here tonight.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg officiated the celebration which was attended by GPS leaders including deputy chief ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
With the conclusion of the Sarawak Election, Tiong who is also Bintulu MP, highlighted that the inevitable general election will become another hurdle and trial where the people will assess and criticise the government.
“The election result is by no means a trophy to make us complacent and forget about what comes next. It is merely a reminder for us to monitor and assess ourselves,” he said.
Observing that the domestic political situation is tense and the people are exhausted and tired, he emphasised that GPS must exercise wisdom in resolving disputes and prevent division.
“We must lead Sarawak with a humble and sincere heart to create better lives for the people. We must continue to optimise policies and ensure that our duties and responsibilities are in place to serve and govern well. We must adjust our attitude to keep what the people want in our hearts,” he said.
The slogan Sarawak First or “Utamakan Sarawak”, he continued, must be implemented by keeping the people’s livelihood in mind at all times and every effort must be made to resolve their issues.
“Although PDP is a junior partner in GPS, do not give us an after thought nor sideline us. Our ambition and determination to serve the people gives us the courage of giants,” he added.
With the election over, Tiong appealed to partners in GPS to go out to do their best for the people and allow PDP the opportunity to do the same.
He also called on all political parties to open their hearts and recognised that GPS can only go farther and worked better with unity.
“We must continue to monitor each other to ensure that GPS continues to be a major political force to preserve Sarawak,” he said. — DayakDaily
