Mukhriz (right) shakes hands with party supporters upon his arrival at Rh Man.
BINTULU: Strong support on the ground was one of the main factors Bintulu was chosen as the venue for the official launch of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Sarawak, said its deputy president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Mahathir.
He said unlike other party events which centred in Kuching, the launching of the party branch in Bintulu was recognition of the great support by party members here.
Mukhriz who is Kedah Mentri Besar said this during a visit to Rumah Man Mile 20, Bintulu-Miri Road yesterday.
Also present were Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Marzuki Yahya and other senior party members.
With the official launch of Bersatu Sarawak by the party chairman who is also the Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad last night at Bintulu Civic Centre, it would complete the representation of Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government in Malaysia together with PKR, DAP and Amanah except for Sabah with its Parti Warisan Sabah which is PH-friendly.
On his visit to the longhouse, Mukhriz said he was there to represent the PH government adding the purpose of the visits by PH ministers and representatives to several areas in Sarawak was to look into the needs of the locals who were seen as not fully represented by the current state government.
“I’m here as a representative of the new federal government. All letters of request will be collected and presented to the regional development bodies and other relevant ministries,” he said adding that the visit was beyond party matters as he represented the PH government.
As Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia, Mukhriz said it is crucial to have strong cohesion and collaboration between the state and federal governments to govern the country effectively.
“Without the support of Sarawak, there will be no unity in politics in Malaysia. Some people in Peninsular Malaysia might not understand this fact, but this is our promise,” he said adding that Malaysia was formed by three regions namely the peninsula, Sarawak and Sabah and it must be respected.
Mukhriz said there must be close connection and understanding between the state and federal governments.
“The federal government is giving special attention to the needs of the people in Sarawak and Sabah.
“As promised by PH, all needs will be given due consideration,” Mukhriz said.
He said: “Even though the state is under the opposition coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) while the federal government is under PH, the new government would not neglect the rights and needs of Sarawakians.”
He said there should be no major issue faced by the people in Sarawak in terms of their need to have better basic facilities but under the previous (Barisan Nasional) government both at the state and federal level, these problems have yet to be resolved until now.
“Anything that the state government cannot do, the federal government will come in to help and being the richest state in Malaysia, Sarawak should not have to face these problems,” said Mukhriz in reference to the biggest state budget announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi
Abang Johari Tun Openg recently.