KUCHING, Aug 17: Batu Kitang Assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang has expressed his disappointment over the administration of Pakatan Harapan (PH) government for ignoring the basic needs of Sarawakians but carrying on with mega projects which he terms as “wants”.
One example he cited in a media statement today was the insistence of manufacturing a third national car, when the rakyat, particularly Sarawakians, were trying hard to make ends meet in the midst of current economic difficulties.
“As Sarawakians struggle on a daily basis with poor infrastructure, the PH government is having a field day rolling out a new line of cars, possibly by next year.
“We in Sarawak do not need a third national car plant which is said to be financed by the PH government despite the many denials from them. Sarawak gives the PH government RM250 million worth of our oil per day and this is how they spend our billions,” Lo argued.
Lo claimed that the first national car – Proton started by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad made a huge loss, costing the country billions of ringgit. He wondered why the prime minister did not learn from that lesson.
Lo alleged that the third national car project would use public fund as the federal government is the largest shareholder in DreamEDGE Sdn Bhd, the company spearheading the third national car project.
He interpreted mega projects such as the third national car as Malaya pursuing its ‘wants’ while Sarawak is trying hard to fulfil ‘needs’.
“Is Sarawak’s oil to be used primarily for one man’s pet projects? Will history repeat itself with the same prime minister in control of Petronas’ billions?”
Lo said aggressive exploration of Sarawak’s oil has been ramped up even more, especially after Sarawakians’ expressed their unhappiness about being one of the poorest states in Malaysia despite producing triple the amount of oil per day than Brunei- one of the richest countries in the world.
“Malaysians are especially unhappy with the present state of our education system. We want a sensible education system that can put our youngsters on a better footing and have a more competitive edge globally”.
Therefore, Lo said it would be best for Sarawak to get back the RM250 million oil money from Malaya so that it could take care of on its own education and healthcare systems.
“We will literally be able to develop Sarawak from the present underdeveloped state to one that is technologically advanced as what Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has envisioned,” he said. — DayakDaily
