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By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Sept 1: Sarawak may introduce her own currency should Peninsular Malaysia continue to be bogged down due to politicking over “remeh” (trivial) issues while Sarawak’s economy is taking off.
Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi said he may be joking but he “meant” it when making the statement as Sarawak may seek ways to introduce her new currency that is pegged against the Brunei dollar or Singapore dollar.
“In fact, I joke but I do mean it. I say if Sarawak economy is so good and national economy is not doing well, perhaps, one day, Sarawak may want to have our own currency. Why should we get bogged down?” Nanta told SinarDaily at a special podcast collaboration with Bual Studios and Rena Sounds for Merdeka and Malaysia Day titled ‘From Malaya to Malaysia: 60 years’ released today.
Despite the possibility that he may be branded as a traitor by some, he continued to press the idea, repeating that he was serious about it, especially now that Sarawak has achieved high-income status according to World Bank standards.
Citing the example of a family of five children, he said if one of them were to do well while the rest were bogged down with issues, then it would be justifiable for the one who is hardworking to leave the family and be on his or her own.
Confidently, he believed that no Sarawakians would disagree with him on his Sarawakian currency notion.
Nanta who is also Kapit MP and secretary general of ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) expressed disappointment over the continuous politicking in Peninsular Malaysia’s politics.
“I hope we should lessen politicking, concentrate on nation building. (After) 60 years (of formation of Malaysia) we still talk about nation building. But if we have to do, we have to do it. What to do?
“(We should) continue on progressing on economy because ultimately, if we do manage well our economy, it would mean we are taking good care of the welfare and wellbeing of our people.
“But our economy is in a mess because we are politicking, quarrelling over something ‘remeh’ (trivial). Maybe it’s (the trivial issue) something important to these people, I don’t know,” said Nanta who stressed that the priority of politicians should be the people and the nation. — DayakDaily
