Thanking old guns for making way, Abang Johari reminds young replacements they too will grow old and need to give way

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, Nov 3: Thanking the old guns for stepping down, Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg reminded the young candidates stepping in their shoes that they too will grow old and will need to give way some day.

Abang Johari, who unveiled the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate lineup for the 31 seats in Sarawak for the 15th General Election (GE15), said that a multi-layer comprising young, old and experienced leaders in GPS is important to ensure the continuous progress and development of Sarawak. 

“We thank Dato Sri Rohani Abdul Karim (former Batang Lupar MP), Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (former Santubong MP) and Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat (former Betong MP) for giving way to the younger candidates. 

“Wan Junaidi has fought for Sarawak in ensuring MA63 (Malaysia Agreement 1963) is recognised in the Malaysian Constitution,” he said when officiating at the Sarawakku Sayang programme at Kampung Tellian Tengah in Mukah which was streamed live via the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) Facebook page today. 

Emphasising that younger candidates are important in terms of succession, Abang Johari who is also the GPS chairman, pointed out that the old ones will only get older so they must understand that when the time is up, they must “surrender”. 

He disclosed that he fielded 44-year-old Rodiyah Sapiee in Batang Sadong to replace Dato Sri Nancy Shukri who has been moved to stand in Santubong, apart from Dato Hanifah Hajah Taib who will defend the Mukah seat. 

“In Mukah (constituency), there are also Roystan Valentine in Tellian and former Tellian assemblyman Yussibnosh Balo. We put young candidates so they can help Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah (Dalat assemblywoman and Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development).

“In Batang Lupar, Rohani gave way to Mohamad Shafizan Kepli, also a young candidate,” he said. 

Abang Johari added that GPS leaders proved themselves with their hard work, unlike others who only talk and make promises.

“‘Kak yah abu dua sudu’ (nothing significant). ‘Jangan biar pisang berbuah dua kali’ (don’t let history repeat itself), enough for 22 (months). We have experienced it,” he reminded those present.

He also emphasised that GPS remained the strongest coalition in Malaysia because there is no division but close ties and understanding among its component parties and the diverse community. 

“Don’t allow us to be divided because the future of Sarawak is bright. We will work with parties who can collaborate with us.

“We want Malaysia to be a strong country without change of prime minister halfway, otherwise our country will be destroyed,” he said, reminding those present that Malaysia including Sarawak has so much potential. 

“We must set aside our differences because the most important thing is the stability and future of our country,” he added.

Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki was among those present. — DayakDaily