By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 20: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) aims to set up a sovereign fund to ensure the long-term management of the financial resources of the State in the future, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Following that, he said a thorough study must first be conducted on how Sarawak can best manage and improve its funds.
“So far, I cannot give any details but I have received the (proposal) papers from experts and this is currently being studied. We will bring the (sovereign fund) proposal to the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) for approval.
“And if we are given the mandate (to continue as the State government), Sarawak is set for the future,” he told reporters after launching the Work Package Contract 07 (Julau Section) road alignment under Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway Project together with Senior Minister of Works Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof in Julau today.
Earlier in his speech, Abang Johari, who is GPS chairman also hinted that the coalition has many more plans in increasing the State’s revenue within the next five years.
He mentioned that in 2022 State Budget, Sarawak will introduce a Housing Deposit Assistance Scheme next year which will provide cash assistance up to RM10,000 to B40 and M40 home buyers for deposit payment of houses valued less than RM300,000.
Additionally, the GPS government has set aside allocation to fund scholarships and bursary schemes up to RM10,000 per student studying at University Technology Sarawak (UTS).
“And we want to do some more. That’s why we need a fresh mandate from the rakyat (people) to me for us (GPS) to pursue it,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
