Fazzrudin presents an incentive to a recipient. PKMS deputy president Dr Wan Ali Tuanku Madhi is at third right.
KUCHING: Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng’s allegation that Sarawak would go bankrupt in three years reflects his deliberate malice, said Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy youth chief Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman.
The Tupong assemblyman said if Lim had bothered to look at Sarawak’s budget, as presented by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), he would know that the government is not using its entire reserves.
“Hence, Guan Eng’s prediction shows the ignorance of the minister, or he deliberately has malicious intent towards Sarawak. Despite my disappointment with this statement, I am not surprised as that is how the opposition is politicking,” Fazzrudin told the media after officiating at the Sarawak Malay National Association’s (PKMS) Aidilfitri Ramah Tamah and education excellence awards ceremony yesterday.
He said such a negative statement from Lim could have a devastating impact on the economy.
“Imagine the perceptions of foreign investors and industries against Sarawak and Malaysia with such statement,” he pointed out.
Fazzrudin stressed Abang Johari has taken several initiatives to generate revenue for Sarawak including charging a sales tax on petroleum products.
He said more initiatives have also been undertaken by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leadership to strengthen Sarawak’s financial resources.
At the event, he presented education incentives to 17 children of PKMS members, who excelled in their public examinations last year.
During a DAP dinner on Friday, Lim had claimed Sarawak would go bankrupt in three years if it continues to be ruled by GPS.
He claimed this is because Sarawak’s reserves of RM31 billion would not last if GPS continues with an annual budget of RM11 billion. Sarawak’s budget is RM11.9 billion for this year – the highest in history.