By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 17: Sarawak has upped its earnings outlook to a double-digit billion figure which Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is expected to reveal in the upcoming State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting next week.
He said this will prove the doubters and critics who once said Sarawak will go bankrupt wrong.
“I cannot reveal the figure now but I can assure you it is in the double-digit billions.
“Our earnings and revenue will continue to see strong growth and that’s why we are able to allocate RM350 million for the project that will benefit the Stutong community here,” he told a crowd of some 700 people at the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) ceramah (political talk) for P195 Bandar Kuching and P196 Stampin at Aeroville Mall here last night.
He was referring to the flood mitigation project at Stampin Resettlement Scheme which involved a two-phase development plan including upgrading of roads and drainage as well as construction of bund, pumping system, pond and tidal control gate.
Abang Johari even shot back at the Opposition, criticising them for giving all kinds of promises including 20 per cent oil royalty which turned out to be nothing.
“Mana ada? (what happened to the promises?) ‘Kong pun bo yong’ (useless to say more in Hokkien).
“Even now, they can’t fulfill their promises of recognising UEC (Unified Examination Certificate for Chinese Independent schools),” he said.
But the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government, he continued, has been assisting Chinese schools in Sarawak over the years with a total of RM20 million has been allocated this year as the government recognised the importance of Chinese education for Sarawak’s diverse community.
With GPS going for the 15th General Election (GE15) on its own this time without being affiliated with any coalition or alliance from Peninsular Malaysia, Abang Johari wants all 31 seats to be won.
“And this time, we will wrest back Stampin and Bandar Kuching because we want to develop these two areas properly. Bandar Kuching and Stampin will be elevated under GPS.
“As long as I’m your Premier, I will fulfill my promises. When GPS promises something, we deliver them. Just like how Stutong has been developed in the past 20 years to what it is today,” he assured.
Abang Johari once again called on voters to rise early on Nov 19 and go down to vote.
“When you see Kenyalang (bird which is the GPS’ logo), you vote for it. GPS will go all out to ‘intu’ (take care) of Sarawak. We will defend Sarawak at all costs,” he exclaimed.
At the event, Abang Johari also presented a grant of RM1 million for Lo San Temple, RM100,000 for Nam Fah Tian Temple and RM80,000 for St Faith Church.
Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, GPS candidates Lo Khere Chiang (Stampin) and Eric Tay (Bandar Kuching) and Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap were present. — DayakDaily
