By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Dec 4: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg says the State Government’s strategic and creative decisions to strengthen control over its own resources and establish its own financial institutions have been crucial in enabling Sarawak to finance its own projects and accelerate infrastructure development.
He emphasised that the decisions to acquire the Bakun Dam, introduce its own tariff system, establish the Sarawak Development Bank, and participate in the oil and gas sector through Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS), were made possible following the formation of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in 2018. This, he said, had shifted Sarawak’s political landscape and enabled the State to regain greater control over its own development mechanisms.
“With these strategic mechanisms under our control, and we have our own financial resources, we can facilitate our development, including the implementation of capital-intensive projects such as bridge construction,” he said when delivering his speech at the GPS Backbencher Night ‘One For All, All for One’ (Sarawak First) last night.
The Premier emphasised that GPS’ leadership and Sarawak’s enhanced control over its strategic assets have enabled the State to expand infrastructure development, particularly in rural areas, helping to stimulate local economies.
He added that progress has not been easy, despite the State’s abundant natural resources, and to ensure continued advancement, he urged be creative and “think outside the box”.
Abang Johari reiterated that since assuming leadership of Sarawak eight years ago, he has not only continued the policies set by his predecessor, the late Tun Pehin Adenan Satem, but also introduced his own sustainable development strategies to further advance Sarawak.
“Without these foresight strategies, our own mechanisms, and the gift of abundant natural resources, we would not have been able to achieve this and make Sarawak what it is under this leadership and GPS,” he stated.
Among those present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Dauk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, DUS Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Chairman of the GPS Backbencher Club Dato Fazzrudin bin Abdul Rahman, and the Organising Chairman for the event, Dato Rolland Duat Jubin. – DayakDaily
