By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 4: It is time for Sibu and Lanang to be returned to Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) during the 15th General Election (GE15) because it has not seen any positive changes after being represented by Malaya-based parties.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg thus called on the people to send the two new GPS candidates Sibu Mayor Clarence Ting for Sibu and Wong Ching Yong for Lanang to Parliament.
“Sibu has been represented by a party from Malaya which has to seek advice from Putrajaya. Their bosses are in Kuala Lumpur.
“But for GPS, the bosses are in Sarawak. In the last State Election, we won 76 out of 82 seats and swept three seats (Pelawan, Bukit Assek and Dudong). So this general election, we must all sweep the two seats (Sibu and Lanang),” he said when addressing the Sarawakku Sayang Programme at Sibu’s Civic Centre which was streamed live via Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) Facebook today.
Abang Johari also grilled a former minister from Sibu in charge of the Finance Ministry who had failed to improve and level-up Sibu after long years of service.
“There was a minister from Sibu before but why can’t you do it. As the Finance Minister now, I go and find the money. There was someone who was the finance minister before but I don’t know what the person is doing.
“What (Parti Keadilan Rakyat leader) Datuk (Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim) said is true, there is no change and positive progress in Sibu.
“Sibu Jaya was in such bad condition in the past but I managed to transform it. I did it and the result is there,” he said.
As such, Abang Johari emphasised that Sarawakians must stay united and take care of Sarawak “because parties from Malaya do not care about Sarawak as they are too busy fighting among themselves for power”.
“Changing government all the time only leads to instability and the people are the ones who will suffer. We are Sarawakians and we must develop Sarawak on our own based on our mould and agenda,” he added.
On Sibu’s development, Abang Johari stressed it will take time and a lot of money but GPS is committed to do it as the aspiration is to turn Sibu into a tourist destination like Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
“But it will be a long term development. I am serious about it, but it cannot be announced today and materialised tomorrow.
“There needs to be proper planning. We have engaged both local and international experts as consultants with experience on Holland, Denmark and Singapore to undertake a study and plan for Sibu because Sibu is on peat soil with lots of water.
“Trust me, it takes time, but we cannot rush it. But if the Netherlands can, Sibu can also be transformed. It can take five or 10 or 15 years (for implementation in phases). But this in turn will bring economic activities and opportunities for Sibu and increase its GDP (gross domestic product) with the condition we can find the money, which so far I have done,” he said.
Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, GPS candidates Clarence Ting (for Sibu) and Wong Ching Yong (Lanang) were among those present. — DayakDaily
