CM says he’s letting SUPP, SPDP resolve their own crises but will not wash his hands off the disputes
KUCHING: Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud will not interfere with the internal problems besetting the two state Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties – Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP).
He told reporters this at a press conference after officiating at the Kuching City South Council (MBKS) Chinese New Year open house yesterday.
Taib said he had already offered his opinions and advice to the leaders of the two parties.
“I do not wish to interfere anymore because I have given my thoughts but there does not seem to be any development in solving the problems. As for SPDP, leave them alone for now,” he said, while refusing to comment further on SUPP.
He said despite choosing not to interfere further, he is not “washing hands” off the affairs of the two parties.
“My main responsibility in Sarawak is to ensure every race in the state can participate in the transformation of the state. For instance, the Chinese are very important to me as they have much more exposure to changes around them and I cannot afford not to think of their future,” he said.
‘Turn the vision into real transformation’
Touching on the state’s development, Taib said it would entail transforming grassroots organisations such as local councils to play pivotal roles in the society in the state’s new phase of development in the next five years.
He said the transformation the government wanted to achieve was one that would draw people from all walks of life, not just those at the top level.
“What can make us come up and remain a developed nation is the transformation of our people, which is the transformation to be able to play new roles in society by equipping oneself with skills and abilities.
“Vision 2020 is more than just how much money could be made. It means much more than that.
“It means having a different structure of society that enables our own people to drive the progress of society.
“We want to see the people change their roles and get the kind of jobs that suit their level of ability. That is what we want to achieve in the next 20 years,” he said
He pointed out that the local governments had to turn the vision into real transformation because they were the ones dealing with the grassroots of our society.
“Improve and upgrade councillors, as they are the ones to interact with people in society. Only that way we can achieve real progress,” he stressed.
He added that the transformation plans would include getting the young people of Sarawak to be committed to education.
“They should choose the kinds of skills that are not just for the sake of earning more money but to gain happiness and a sense of pride because they know they can produce something,” he said.