‘Give GPS chance to lead S’wak, continue fight for her rights’  

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Dr Rundi (front, third left) congratulates longhouse chieftain Empaling after officiating at the ‘ngentak tiang’ ceremony.

BINTULU: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) ought to be given the chance to lead Sarawak and continue its struggle to fight for her rights, said Minister of Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.

He said Sarawakians should have now realised who are the ones who really understand the needs of the people and sincerely fight for their rights.

The Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, he claimed, had made a series of U-turns in recent months on the promises pledged in its manifesto during the last general election.

Dr Rundi, who is Kemena assemblyman, was officiating at the launching of a rural electricity supply project at Rumah Dayong Sabot, Sungai Ipoh Labang, KM60 of Bintulu-Miri road on Saturday.

“We have been in Barisan Nasional (BN) for over 50 years and in this coalition, Umno is a dominant party. In a democratic coalition, those dominant will always be in front in terms of decision-making.

“The BN was defeated in the 14th general election, but we in Sarawak are still strong – we have been discussing the need for us to take care of and protect ourselves, to protect our rights with freedom and through GPS, we can stand on our own feet,” stressed Dr Rundi.

He also talked in details about the transformation ideas to be implemented by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, especially on the five per cent sales tax on petroleum products which is a non-negotiable right of Sarawak.

He said through the tax, by 2030 the GPS government is expected to generate billions in revenue to be fully utilised to carry out development projects, especially in the rural and coastal areas.

He emphasised that it is very important for the Sarawak government under GPS to be given a strong mandate by the people because the state’s rights would be at stake should the PH control Sarawak, as PH could amend the laws if it had the majority in Parliament.

He pointed out that it is time for Sarawak to be treated fairly as a partner in Malaysia, and not as an ordinary state like other states.

“We do not want to be treated like other states, we are the partner in forming Malaysia and it is time for Sarawakians to voice out their rights.

“Sarawak is one of the richest states but yet for over 50 years, the people are still poor – now we are mature enough to fight for our rights and we have to be united on this cause,” stressed Dr Rundi.

The minister and his entourage also visited Kampung Yoh Sebumbun Jaya Labang, Rumah Empaling Tuan Sungai Labang and Rumah Radin during the one-day working visit to the Sebauh area.

During this visit, Dr Rundi announced a total of RM385,000 in allocations under his Minor Rural Project (MRP) and Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) grants.

For Rumah Dayong, he announced MRP of RM10,000 for its village security and development committee (JKKK), RM5,000 for its women’s bureau, RM40,000 for house repairs, and RM15,000 for house extension.

For Kampung Yoh, Rundi allocated MRP of RM45,000 – RM25,000 for its JKKK, RM10,000 for its women’s bureau and RM10,000 for its surau.

Rumah Empaling was given RTP of RM100,000 for house repairs, RM30,000 for its JKKK and RM5,000 for its women’s bureau – Rumah Radin was also given the same amount of allocation.

Also present during the working visit were political secretaries to the chief minister Victor Temenggong Angang, Jenny Bangga, Petrus Igat Mathias and Romeo Christopher Tegong, as well as Sebauh District officer William Manggai, Penghulu Morshidi Tali, Penghulu Lee Lei Seng and Pemanca Limin Anai.