Better times ahead for PDP

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Taib (sixth left), Abang Johari (sixth right) and other guests join hands in tossing the ‘Yee Sang’.

BINTULU: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is confident that with 2018 known as the ‘Year of the Dog’, the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) will be inspired because the animal has been known to have the highest loyalty to its owner.

He made the remarks at the PDP Chinese New Year open house at Bintulu Civic Centre yesterday.

“I’m sure PDP will be the ‘dog’ and protect Sarawak and will work together with the other Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties to develop Sarawak,” he said.

According to him, Sarawakians are lucky to have strong BN component parties that have great understanding among the leaders.

“What is important is we must protect our mutual understanding and stability that we have to move forward,” he added.

The Chief Minister said he was very happy that he had inherited political stability from his predecessors that enabled him to bring the state and the people to greater heights.

“I, as a leader to BN Sarawak, will continue this trust as a foundation for us to work together and find new ways for us to develop Sarawak in a new economic landscape.

“With the inclusiveness of the state government as well as the business-friendly approach of our government, we will be able to collaborate and establish a very conducive atmosphere for foreigners as well as local companies to invest and reinvest in their plants in Sarawak.”

Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who was present as guest-of-honour, had emphasised on trust among the Sarawak BN component parties when he was chief minister, Abang Johari said.

He also said Taib’s presence at the open house showed that the latter was very concerned over unity among the various ethnic groups in the state, especially in Bintulu.

He added that Taib, when he was the chief minister, planned and developed Bintulu to be what it is today.

“Tun (Taib) has laid a foundation for Bintulu to become a centre of economic development in Sarawak with its resources as well as proper planning, particularly the establishment of Recoda and the new township of Samalaju which has become the centre of investment in Sarawak,” he said.

“I am sure we have a brighter future with our young generation who are exposed to knowledge through technical education,” he said, adding he hoped this ‘Dog Year’ will give the people the strength to work together to develop the state.

Meanwhile, PDP president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing believed Sarawak under the leadership of Abang Johari would continue to see more progress.

He also hoped that during this ‘Year of the Dog’ the people will remain loyal to the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Abang Johari.

He thus called on the people to give BN a strong mandate in the coming 14th general election.

“PDP as a BN component party in Sarawak will continue serving the people and ensure the party remains strong through people-oriented approaches,” said Tiong.