By Christopher Lidom and Chris Bishop
KUCHING, Feb 25: The agreement to use part of Sarawak’s petroleum revenue payments for poverty eradication programmes applies only to the region, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
In explaining this, Abang Johari said it is only fitting that it (the payment) is used to eradicate poverty in Sarawak.
“It is the region’s income. I can’t give it to others, such as Terengganu. That is the federal government’s job,” he told reporters during a press conference after a site visit at the Jalan Sg Maong to Segedup project in Masjid Darul Istiqaal, Kampung Sg Maong today.
He was asked by reporters to explain Sarawak and Sabah’s agreement to use part of the petroleum revenue payments to both states to eradicate hardcore poverty, as disclosed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when tabling the revised Budget 2023 at Parliament yesterday.
He added that the money is invested into infrastructure to enable those in rural areas to escape poverty.
Meanwhile, touching on eradicating poverty in Sarawak, Abang Johari said firstly that the approach must involve improving infrastructure such as water and electricity supply and road connectivity, especially in rural areas.
According to him, most people in rural areas have assets such as farmlands and native customary rights (NCR) lands, but they do not know how to monetise them.
Secondly, he emphasised providing education equips them with the proper knowledge to utilise the assets.
He said if the older generation can’t do it, the younger generation will have the proper knowledge to work on the assets.
“’You cannot give them fish, but you ask them how to catch fish’. That is how we eradicate poverty.
“This is the policy of the Sarawak government, and that’s why we focus on supplying electricity, water, and roads,” he said. — DayakDaily
