Abang Johari (left) and Wee (second left) witness the swearing-in of new KCGCCI office bearers. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: Sarawak should use politics as a platform to move forward and position itself as a state that is united, visionary and culturally cohesive.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said this should be the mantra practised by the people and not to use politics as a means to quarrel.
“My Barisan Nasional (BN) team including Minister of Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian and the rest…we are constantly using politics as a way to move forward and not use politics to quarrel.
“If politics is meant for quarreling, you are finished because nobody will benefit,” he said at the 67th installation of Kuching Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCGCCI) committee and Third Youth Section here on Monday.
Abang Johari, who is also state BN chairman, advised the people not to emulate the culture of ‘picking fights’ on social media.
“We don’t want to follow the culture of the other side,” he said, seemingly insinuating the political culture of Peninsular Malaysians who often bicker on social media.
“You see in Facebook, they quarrel and that is wasting time,” he said, and reiterated that politics should instead be used as a platform to move forward and to provide services needed by the people.
“With a stable and good political environment, we can enhance our economic development. This will in turn benefit everyone provided that we all work hard,” he said.
Abang Johari also noted that for Sarawak to become a developed state, the people must keep themselves abreast with the latest developments happening in the world.
“My policy is not only to continue the policy of my predecessors Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and the late Pehin Sri Tan Sri Adenan Satem but also to enhance our economic development as well as expand our business opportunities for the private sector.”
This, he said, was one of the reasons he came up with new visions which focus on transforming the state’s economy into digital economy.
“I am focusing on the digital economy to upgrade our infrastructure so that we can have high-speed internet. This is very important because it addresses all spheres of businesses including services, manufacturing and so on.
“Arising from digital economy, there will be a lot of small-medium enterprises (SMEs) because it is based on creativity. I’m sure the younger Sarawakians can create and innovate something new through digital economy and thereby create SMEs which will be the backbone of our economic development.”
Abang Johari later witnessed the swearing-in of new KCGCCI office bearers which is led by the newly elected president Tan Jit Kee.
Abang Johari’s wife Datin Patinggi Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Assistant Minister of Industries and Investment Malcolm Mussen Lamoh and KCGCCI immediate past president Datuk Wee Kok Tiong were also present at the function.