By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, June 22: SUPP Bawang Assan chairman Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew has vowed to revive Sibu’s economy and return it to its glory days.
Lau today pledged to speak about attracting more investments in public facilities and infrastructures to Sibu as well as called on the private sector to invest in the local community.
“It (Sibu) has seen its glory days in natural resources and commodities boom over the last half a century.
“We now urgently need to renew and grow the economy so as to provide jobs and hope to those in this area.
“This will call for investments in public facilities and infrastructure and the private sector to reinvest in the community.
“It (Sibu) is the gateway to the vast hinterland where many Iban and other communities live.
“These communities need equal access as those in the cities or otherwise they will always be left behind,” he highlighted via a Facebook post after he was sworn in as a senator today.
Photo courtesy of Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Lau added that he would like to play an active role as a senator include fighting for Sarawak’s rights and interest under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report as well as ensuring the principle of the separation of powers among the three pillars of a democratic system of government is adhered to by the federal government.
Lau, who is trained as a lawyer revealed he is honoured to be working alongside two other senators from Sarawak namely Senator Susan Chemarai Anding and Senator Rita Insol who are both from the legal profession.
Susan is Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Women honorary secretary while Rita is Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) deputy secretary-general.
The trio from Sarawak were appointed as freshman senators and had their swearing-in ceremony before Senate president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran at Dewan Negara today.
Lau who is also Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) deputy chairman disclosed he is honoured to be nominated by Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP)and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to be a member of the Dewan Negara and thanked the leadership of both entities for having the trust in him to shoulder the responsibility.
“It is a responsibility and duty that I will carry out to the best of my ability.
“I am (also) thankful to my parents for affording me the opportunity to study and pursue a career in law and the education afforded me in Sibu in the 1970s and early 80s especially by my principal and teachers from my alma mater in Sibu, SMK Sacred Heart.
“The school provided and continues to provide excellent education, one that rivaled the best in any Commonwealth countries of that era.
“That opportunity in education has led me to stand in this August house to carry out another duty and this time is to serve my community in Sibu, to defend my Sarawak and to contribute to my country,” he added. — DayakDaily
