CM: S’wak has new approach to enhance rural development

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Abang Johari (left) and Fadillah slice the sacrificial meat to mark the occasion.
— Photo by Chimon Upon

KUCHING: A new approach to enhance water supply and other infrastructure development in rural areas across Sarawak will be announced this coming November.

This was disclosed by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, who said Sarawak government is to continue placing emphasis on rural development.

Without going into details of the approach, he said such a move will work towards improving the quality of life of Sarawakians, particularly the rural folk.

He made this announcement at the Majlis Qurban Aidiladha at Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Satok branch along Jalan Kulas here yesterday.

Abang Johari, who is PBB president, said Sarawak government’s fight to recover state rights is not rhetoric as it focuses on regaining Sarawak’s autonomy within the context of Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

He pledged that Sarawak government will continue to give this matter due attention in order to recover state rights that had been eroded over the years.

He said Sarawakians should stay united and rational in the process of recovering the state’s rights.

In the meantime, he said the state is to focus on its infrastructure development alongside its struggle to regain the rights that belonged to it.

“It is Sarawak’s rights that we must fight for but we cannot be emotional. This fight is not rhetoric and we focus on fighting for what belongs to Sarawak within the context of MA63.”

Abang Johari said Sarawak government will do its level best to regain state rights while leaving the rest to take its natural course.

Politically, he admitted that Sarawak government would face various challenges in order to achieve its agenda for the state.

Despite so, he said leaders of his administration will brace for the challenges rather than being complacent with the present situation.

“In comfort zone, we more often than not forget the struggle that we should go through. So we shall make use of what we have to empower ourselves to face the challenges,” he added.

Among those present was Petra Jaya MP and PBB senior vice president Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.