Abang Johari tries his hands on a custom-made Sape which was presented to him as a memento by Uggah (third left).
MIRI: Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is looking forward for Barisan Nasional (BN) to win with a bigger majority in two of the hot seats in the northern part of the state — Baram and Sibuti — in the May 9 polls.
Speaking when officiating at a seminar organised by Highland Development Agency (HDA) for the community leaders, community chiefs and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) within the HDA at a leading hotel here yesterday, the Chief Minister pointed out that it is crucial for BN to win Baram with a big majority to ensure Sarawak has stronger voice in the parliament.
He said if incumbent Anyi Ngau were to win with a majority of 6,000 votes, it would be easier for the state government to request for more funds from the federal government to accelerate development in the
constituency such as upgrading the logging road into a R3 tar-sealed road.
“This time, I ask for a bigger mandate in the parliament. If we can win 28 (seats), that would be good, but if we can get 31, that would be even better,” he said to a thunderous applause from the floor.
For Sibuti, Abang Johari said BN is fielding a new face as the incumbent Datuk Ahmad Lai Bujang had decided to give way to younger blood due to health reason.
He stressed that the state government under his leadership was still trying to get back more of the state’s constitutional rights from the federal government which could only be achieved if he is given stronger mandate from the people.
“The HDA has huge potential to be tapped and what is important now is unity (among the people).
“If the Baram bridge is completed, it will take only 30 minutes to get to Marudi (from Miri). Better roads would be built to Long Terawan and from there we will have river cruise to get to Mulu,” he said, adding that all these would bring in more tourists to Baram.
Earlier on, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is HDA chairman, said HDA is a new approach in developing the highlands into an economic power house and to narrow the gap in income disparity of the people there.
On Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), Uggah said the unit is a reflection of the inclusiveness of Abang Johari as the Chief Minister.
At the same function, the Chief Minister announced an allocation of RM20 million for Unifor.
Among those present at the function were Abang Johari’s wife Datin Patinggi Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Minister of Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, State Legislative Assembly deputy speaker and Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala, former deputy chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang and chief executive officer of Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda) Datu Ismawi Ismuni.
About 700 people attended the one-day seminar.
Abang Johari (fifth right) in a photo call with Uggah (fourth right) and others including the participants after launching the seminar at a leading hotel in Miri yesterday.