By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, May 24: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg wants free tertiary education for all Sarawakians before 2030.
Abang Johari said this is his target, and hoped with the consolidated revenues that Sarawak has to follow in the footsteps of Germany as well as Scandinavian countries which emphasise education in talent development.
“Once you have got the talent, then we can add value to our resources,” he said at the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Backbenchers Night dinner themed ”One For All, All for One—Sarawak First” held at a hotel here tonight.
Abang Johari opined that the Sarawak government could achieve this as its financial position in the region is getting stronger by the day.
He said that in the first quarter of 2023, as of April, Sarawak has collected RM5 billion in revenue.
“Based on this first quarter figure, we hoped by the end of the year we have calculated an optimistic revenue figure. If we have the money we could do many things for Sarawak and our rakyat,” he said.
He noted that financial institutions are trusting in the Sarawak government and believed Sarawak is going to be the new powerhouse of Malaysia.
“They want to provide banking facilities to help Sarawak as well as our small-medium enterprises (SMEs). The banks are approaching us, which means our economy is improving.
“The implication is this: if you have got the money, you can talk, then, you can deliver what people want. The confidence level of the rakyat will be there because we deliver. What is important, there must be no infighting between us.
“That is what we (Sarawak) have achieved, and we must safeguard our unity under GPS. Let GPS be the protector of Sarawak,” Abang Johari said.
Also present were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak Legislative Assembly speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, GPS chief whip Datuk Ibrahim Baki and GPS Backbenchers Night organising chairmam Lo Khere Chiang. — DayakDaily
