By Adrian Lim
MUKAH, Sept 12: The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government has managed to increase its revenue through an additional RM3 billion from national oil corporation Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas).
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the funds were obtained as a result of the State Sales Tax (SST) levied by the state government for the exports of petroleum products.
“We are fortunate that the revenue of Sarawak has increased.
“The state government took legal action against Petronas (for unpaid SST) and as a result, we won the case.
“We are able to increase our revenue by RM3 billion by fighting for our oil and gas rights,” he said in his speech prior to the groundbreaking ceremony for the Batang Igan bridge here today.
Abang Johari said when one has good conscience, God will provide blessings to the person adding that those who were supporting GPS will also be blessed.
He is confident that Sarawakians are behind him in supporting the GPS state government to ensure continuous development for Sarawak.
Abang Johari added that there are more development projects in the pipeline and urges the people to support the state government.
He also said the state government has initiated alternative funding through the establishment of the Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS) to fund the development projects in Sarawak.
He said the GPS government is able to implement many development projects in Sarawak because of the political stability and the unity of the people.
Earlier on, Jemoreng assemblyman Datuk Juanda Jaya appealed to the state government to provide more development projects for his constituency.
Among those include a sports and recreational complex, mini shops for businesses, an Agropark and housing projects.
“Besides building bridges, we (state government) will look into other development projects which have been planned.
“This is because we would also like to be given the power to administer (at the upcoming state election).
“The moment you give us the mandate, these (requests) ‘beres’ (settled),” Abang Johari added.
Abang Johari said the GPS state government practices collective leadership in administering the state.
He explained that whatever development projects will be discussed among the leaders of the coalition political parties within GPS before being implemented.
Abang Johari said GPS has fulfilled the wishes of the people by bringing development such as the construction of the Batang Igan bridge to Mukah here.
Among those present include Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri James Jemut Masing, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Infrastructure and Ports Development Assistant Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, Modernisation Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Assistant Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Jemoreng assemblyman Datuk Juanda Jaya, Igan MP Ahmad Johnie Zawawi and community leaders —DayakDaily
