Chief Minister for all anak Sarawak irrespective of race and religion. He is.
YANG Berhormats from both sides of the aisle have taken significant steps towards greater maturity at the 10-day second Legislative Assembly sitting for the year.
The first step was the unquestioned backing of a private motion (on crime prevention) moved by opposition member See Chee How (PKR-Batu Lintang) and supported by Local Government and Community Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh.
The motion was later modified and tabled by Dr Annuar Rapa’ee (BN-Nangka) and unanimously passed by all the House members – BN and opposition alike.
A motion, moved by Datuk Amar Awang Tengah (BN-Bukit Sari) to refer Violet Yong (DAP-Pending) to the Committee of Privileges for using “insulting language” against him was also passed. The spirit of not voting solely along party lines was on display in the vote count which showed the motion was carried by 30 votes with 12 against.
One vote was obviously missing from the opposition which rightfully should have 13 votes with its 14 YBs, given that Violet Yong did not vote.
The media knew the opposition would not miss a day in the Assembly to express differing and dissenting views, and not infrequently, interrupt and shout to the top of their voice to make their presence felt and their voice heard.
One missing vote – 12 instead of 13 against the motion – a significant miss for the opposition.
Another jaw-dropping observation was that only 30 votes were garnered by the BN which has 57 members. Does this change in voting pattern numbers imply that our YBs now have a mind of their own instead voting blindly along party lines.
Notably, the BN Backbenchers and the opposition (PKR) even held a joint PC to show their support and solidarity to the Chief Minister for commitment to fight corruption.
These happenings in the majestic building perched on a hill by the bank of Sarawak River nestled between the Astana and Fort Margherita should be a breath of fresh air to the people who voted the 71 YBs to represent them!
If we have detected a greater sense of maturity in our elected reps, I believe it has something to do with the leader – the Chief Minister himself.
In his winding up speech on Nov 19, he placed in the hands of all House members the urgent task to accelerate development in the state and take it to a higher level of progress by 2020. He said a plan known as the Sarawak Socio-Economic Transformation Programme (SETP) – to be incorporated into the 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-2020) – had been drawn up and he invited the opposition to contribute towards its successful implementation.
“I do understand you all and I hear you when you ask – what’s next 51 years after the birth of Malaysia?
“To address this, I am pleased to inform we have formulated a catch-up plan also known as the SETP. We don’t want Sarawak to be left behind in the nation’s effort to become a high income and developed country by 2020.
“With the limited time available, we need to be bold and creative in how to accelerate the pace of development.
“In this respect, collaboration and teamwork are required from all stakeholders, including honorable members of the Opposition who I believe also love to see a peaceful and progressive Sarawak.”
What wisdom and humility from the state’s most talked about man.
There were many heart-warming words in his speech which must have tugged at the heartstrings of all the communities and every level of society – and, I believe, also of the YBs present.
Yes, as Finance Minister, he has also allocated a lion’s share of the budget to rural development.
One could see how concerned he is for the welfare of the rural communities when he explained why basic infrastructure was so close to the hearts of the ruralites.
He said electricity supply would enable rural families to use refrigerators and their children to use computers- not just for studies but also to access job opportunities.
Treated water supply, he added, is important to improve the health of the rural folk — and road connectivity would make it easier for them to go clinics and access other government services available in the nearest towns and also for their children to go school.
Going into the heart of the matter, Adenan said: “I’m sure the honorable members of this August House will agree with me that it is disheartening to hear of cases where our rural communities still rely on rivers to send their children to schools and seek treatment from the nearest clinic which can be many miles away.
“This is not to mention the poor conditions of the schools and the lack of facilities in some of our rural clinics.”
While the Chief Minister talks from the heart about bread and butter issues affecting the rural communities, he is equally stern when it comes to corruption.
He said empathically that “corruption is a menace” and warned “don’t mess with me and I mean business” in showing his resolve to fight graft in the state.
He vowed to bring the culprits and their accomplices to face “the wrath of law” with the commitment of MACC, the Forest Department and other government agencies concerned.
He had most certainly gotten through to some of the YBs with these remarks: “Don’t just be a champion in the August House. Your talks in the August House must be translated into action outside it. Jangan cakap besar ajak (don’t only talk big).”
On the same day, an illegal logger in the state was jailed and fined – with another man facing a similar charge pending mention in a Sibu court next month.
In connection with the case, timber, suspected to be illegally logged, were seized at a camp in Sarikei.
Indeed, Adenan is a man who walks the talk.
In announcing lower electricity bills for next year, he said: “Mindful of the burden arising from the high cost of living, I hereby announce the State government will revise downward electricity tariffs for all domestic customers in the state, effective January 1, 2015.”
Sarawakians will benefit from a tariff reduction of between 20 and more than 40 per cent.
The Chief Minister has also wished all Christians Selamat Hari Krismas – and a happy 2015 to all.
It’s still a month to Christmas, but for the people in Sarawak, the Yuletide season indeed comes early this year, and there is certainly much hope and happiness to look forward to in the new year.
Yes, there is reason to still believe in “Santa”, but if you are naughty – you better watch out, you better be good.