SIMANGGANG: Political stability and unity among the people are vital in ensuring that focus can be given to develop Sarawak towards 2030.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised the importance of ensuring that the state is safe and that it will continue to develop and progress.
“Sarawak is among the strongest states in Malaysia in terms of financial position and also stability. We do not fight among ourselves; we focus on what we must develop and we serve our people,” he said when officiating at the launch of Sri Aman Development Agency (Sada) here on Thursday (Oct 21).
He said since he became chief minister, the state’s revenue and expenditure had increased.
“In terms of revenue, in three years, we have collected nearly RM7 billion through sales tax on oil and gas products.
“For the year 2022, we have a budget of over RM10 billion to develop our state of Sarawak. This is not just talk – we can see that there has been implementation,” he added.
He pointed out that if it had not been for delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, some projects would have been completed by now.
Abang Johari said the state government had also implemented initiatives to help the people affected by Covid-19, spending over RM5.3 billion in this regard.
“We want to add more to help the people so that their livelihoods are not disrupted,” he said.
He urged everyone to work together in order to protect Sarawak, assuring that he would also persevere in efforts relating to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the state’s rights so that the people of Sarawak would be safeguarded.
