Abang Johari (eighth left), flanked his wife Juma’aini and Awang Tengah, leads the Chinese New Year cake-cutting ceremony.
LIMBANG: Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg says he will uphold the ‘Madinah Charter’ of just and fair leadership in administering the state.
He said he would be guided by the charter in fine-tuning the state’s economy to match global changes, while stepping up domestic employment opportunities for graduates.
The Madinah Charter, drafted by Prophet Muhammad PBUH, stands as the first written constitution in the Islamic world.
Adding on, Abang Johari also said State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani would be presenting recommendations from international economic experts on how best to move the state’s economy forward to cope with the development and changes brought by ICT.
He added that the report would be ready within his first 100 days as chief minister, and it would take into account tapping into the strength of Sarawak and its resources, matching employment opportunities for graduates and riding the wave of ICT-driven economy.
“With input from international economic experts, we are confident of adding value to Sarawak’s economy in line with global demand, and Sarawak can become not only a national but global player,” he said at the ‘Meet-the-People’ and Chinese New Year gathering here on Monday night.
Among those present were his wife Datin Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Datuk Henry Sum Agong, State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Assistant Minister for Welfare and Community Wellbeing Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Batu Danau assemblyman Paulus Palu Gumbang, Limbang Resident Datu Maria Hasman and community leaders from Limbang and Lawas.
Abang Johari said he had his own plan to develop the state’s economy further and the government would be more selective on investments.
On another matter, he said he did not expect to be appointed as chief minister so soon.
“I never thought of becoming CM so soon. As a chief minister and a Muslim, I will adopt the Madinah Charter of being fair and just to Muslims and non-Muslims in leadership as I must answer to God in the afterlife,” he said.
Abang Johari also pledged to continue the transformation and reformation undertaken by his predecessor, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem including the recognition of Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), annual aid to Chinese schools and rural development.
“I will definitely continue the infrastructure development, and his (Adenan’s) policies of transforming the rural areas as well as fighting for our rights,” he emphasised.
Abang Johari called on all Sarawakians to unite and work together as a team to bring Sarawak to greater heights and fight for the state’s rights including greater participation in the oil and gas industry. He assured all that he would continue negotiating with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on the state’s rights.
“My approach may differ from Tok Nan’s (Adenan) but the fundamentals will continue,” he said.
On Limbang and Lawas, he assured all that the infrastructure development would continue and the RM20-million Rangau Valley Development project would generate a gross development value of RM300 million, which would lead to a modern township within seven to eight years.