SRI AMAN: Sarawak Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state government will build bridges between Sri Aman and Betong, as well as roads from Betong to Linga using the state fund.
He said former Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, promised to build the Batang Lupar bridge but the proposal was scrapped by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.
On the five per cent petroleum and gas sales tax, the chief minister emphasised it is the prerogative of the state government and that Sarawak stood to gain RM3.8 billion per year.
“We have to look for our own money for development to get underway as we can’t wait for the Federal Government,” he said at a Chinese New Year gathering organised by 10 Chinese associations in Sri Aman.
“The reason we left Barisan Nasional and formed Gabungan Parti Sarawak was because we wanted to be independent in our progress and not too dependent on the Federal Government,” he added.
On another matter, Abang Johari said Sarawak will defend its immigration autonomy in order to preserve the peace and harmony, as well as stop the entry of those intending to create problems.
“Thank God Sarawak is very united. We in Sarawak are very lucky as we are able to celebrate various festivals together,” he said.
“The late Tok Nan (former chief minister, Pehin Sri Adenan Satem) said the Chinese are not immigrants because the Chinese have been here for a long time and mixed well with the other races,” he added. — Bernama