CM hopes Putrajaya emulates state’s move to give more allowance to the underprivileged
Adenan (second left) presents Sarawak State Outstanding Entrepreneurship Award 2015 to Yek. Also seen are Awang Tengah (left) and Karim.
Adenan presents the award to Peh.
Adenan (centre) presenting trophy to Ting. Also seen from left are Phillip Ting, Awang Tengah and Karim.
Adenan (third left) shakes hands with Balan after handing out the award. Seen from right are Liew, Karim, Awang Tengah and Ting. — Photos by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, with the underprivileged close to his heart, has resolved to raise welfare allowances during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting next month.
“I am going to move a motion in the Dewan to increase the assistance for welfare recipients throughout the state to help them cope with rising cost of living,” said the chief minister at Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (SCCI) 64th annual dinner here last night.
“I hope the federal government will follow our example and increase it, too.”
Adenan also announced another piece of good news saying there could be “some results” from the operator of Tun Salahuddin Toll Bridge before 2015 came to a close.
“There are three toll bridges in Sarawak and two have agreed on no more charges. We are now working on the third one and expect some results before the end of the year.”
He pointed out that although the state government could do its level best to reduce the financial burden of Sarawakians, his hands were tied when it came to the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
“Do not hold me responsible for GST. I am also subjected to GST, so do not blame me for it. If you want to blame somebody, you know who.”
On the state’s request to Putrajaya to increase the oil and gas royalty from five to 20 per cent, he conceded the increment would not happen in the next couple of months.
He said the federal government was not likely to give the green light any time soon following the global oil price slump, which resulted in more than half of the national revenue slashed.
However, Adenan gave an assurance that he would continue to pursue this matter.
“I do not think we will get it immediately, which is why I need more time. I do not think this will happen in the next five or six months because I cannot perform miracles. It will take some time and that is also why I need five more years.”
Touching on education policy, he said “I do not like to flip flop”, which would confuse students and parents.
He added it was not sensible to decide that English be the teaching medium for Science and Mathematics and then revert to the old policy later.
“Be consistent so that our children will not be confused.”
Under his leadership, Adenan said English would be the preferred primary language in the state—a move that he described as realistic and practical for all.
He opined that Sarawakians could place equal emphasis on English and Bahasa Malaysia (BM), while any correspondence to the state government could be in both languages.
“We are a trading nation, whose partners include those from the United States and Japan. I do not suppose all Americans and Japanese who do business with you can speak Malay. So be practical.”
Adenan also appealed to those present at the dinner to give him another five years, but he made it clear that “it is not because I am crazy about position”. It is because, he said, he had more good policies in mind for a better Sarawak.
He reminded all that he had been a federal minister, an elected representative and had held other high positions; hence, he would not be clinging to the chief minister post.
“Except TYT (head of state) lah. I’m told the position is now occupied,” he said, drawing laughter from the crowd.
On a serious note, Adenan said he had some undone job to finish, and he believed he could do more for Sarawakians.
“We want to do more because we have been backward compared to other states in Peninsular Malaysia. We are the biggest and richest state, but (in terms of development) we are third from the bottom.
“We have got to catch up with Peninsular Malaysia, 50 years is too long and progress is very slow. We deserve more than that.”
At the dinner, Adenan sang four songs and raised RM205,400 for charity. The figure far exceeded the target of RM150,000.
Meanwhile, this year’s Sarawak State Outstanding Entrepreneurship Award 2015 was won by Temenggong Datuk Barry Yek Siew Hui while Sarawak State Entrepreneurship of the Year Awards went to Peru Balan Ding (Master Entrepreneur), Alex Ting (Master Entrepreneur) and Dato Peh Lai Yian (Outstanding Entrepreneur – Outside Sarawak).