By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 23: Sarawak needs to be in the safe hands of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) which has a proven track record and not the opposition which is only full of “hot air”.
Minister for Local Government and Housing Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian emphasised that Sarawak is fortunate because Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is not only a visionary leader but a leader with the courage and boldness to act and translate visions and plans into reality for Sarawakians.
“Sarawak has a smart, visionary and courageous leader with a heart for the people, someone who is able to plan ahead for Sarawak and (is) not (a) ‘smart frog’. Indeed, only Sarawakians know best what Sarawak needs.
“We want to thank the Chief Minister for planning and implementing what Sarawak needs to be future-ready. Similarly, had my father not sent me to Australia to study medicine and become a cardiologist, I would not be able to start the Sarawak Heart Centre 20 years ago,” he said during his speech at a groundbreaking ceremony for the second Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) multi-fuel station officiated at by Abang Johari at MJC, Batu Kawa here today.
Dr Sim, who is the Batu Kawah incumbent, criticised the opposition for only being full of hot air, playing up emotional issues and being insincere in addressing issues.
“If you asked what their (opposition’s) plans were, they said it was a manifesto and not bible. So the 20 per cent oil royalty, ‘tengok saja’ (see only). They are afraid of their bosses in Kuala Lumpur.
“This (multi-fuel) station is the example of ‘speak less, do more’ (because) actions speak louder (than words),” he said.
While visionary leadership is important, Dr Sim however pointed out that it was Abang Johari’s boldness, courage and propensity to act which many initiatives introduced and implemented to steer Sarawak forward.
They include the setting up of Petros which does not just involved in oil and gas exploration but also green energy like hydrogen; Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS); digital wallet SPay Global; Sarawak international schools; and Sarawak Coast Guard.
All these were possible when the CM started revenue reengineering in 2018 after the change of federal government which subsequently halted funding for much needed development in Sarawak.
“Our CM is for the whole of Sarawak irrespective of race and religion, and not only for Darul Hana or Batu Kawah. We are not hot air but on the ground making things happen.
“We can do this because Sarawak is stable and peaceful where all the people are united despite their diversity and differences,” he said.
On the multi-fuel station, Dr Sim believes it will do well in the area as there are 25,000 houses in Batu Kawah with an estimated 50,000 cars if one house has two cars.
“The Petros multi-fuel station will not only be addressing the needs (of the people) but improving Batu Kawah for the future,” he added.
Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Hussain, Petros chairman Tan Sri Hamid Bugo and Economic Planning Unit (EPU) director Datu Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel were among those present. — DayakDaily
