By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, Nov 23: Satok assemblyman Dato Ibrahim Baki asserts there are no camps in Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) or Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) other than Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s camp.
He mentioned this in countering Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong’s remarks during the debate on Sarawak Budget 2024 in yesterday’s (Nov 22) Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting.
“If, in Democratic Action Party (DAP) there are camps, in PBB and GPS, there is absolutely none,” he said in the august House today.
Ibrahim expressed puzzlement with the DAP Sarawak’s actions, which seem to have taken a different path and indirectly defying their whip in Kuala Lumpur, as they are not singing the same tune when DAP national leaders have acknowledged the leadership of Abang Johari for Sarawak.
He added that Federal Cabinet members even praised Abang Johari for his initiative and supported Sarawak’s efforts.
“Maybe they (DAP) are coming from a different camp. I don’t know whether it is the Lim Guan Eng camp or the Chow Kon Yeow camp, or perhaps another camp. Or perhaps Sarawak camp against Semenanjung camp.
“While in PBB or GPS, there is no camp. There is only one camp; that is the camp of the Premier, member for Gedong,” he added.
Yesterday, while debating the Supply Bill 2024, Yong highlighted that with the paddy cultivation project implemented by the Sarawak government, premier had identified four sites for planting hybrid rice from Vietnam, namely in Lubok Punggor in Gedong, Tanjung Bijat in Sri Aman, Spaoh in Betong and Tanjung Purun in Lundu.
Limbang was left out, though according to her, back in 2008, Limbang was identified and feasibility studies had been carried out on soil with the aim to make Limbang the rice bowl of Sarawak.
“May we know why did Premier exclude Limbang as one of the sites for paddy cultivation?
“Is this due to different political blocs in PBB, Abang Jo camp and Awang Tengah camp ‘tak boleh campur’? Even if it is, in my view all the differences must be put aside for the people’s sake and Sarawak’s economy,” she said. — DayakDaily
