Abg Jo says under coalition, state will never lose its way in attaining most developed state status by 2030
Abang Johari (fifth right) and other distinguished guests remove a barrier as a symbolic gesture to launch the Tan Sri Pehin Sri Adenan Satem Bridge.
LONG LAMA, Baram: Sarawak would never get ‘lost’ for as long as it remains administered by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said this is because GPS continues to have its direction in steering Sarawak towards greater heights with the vision of becoming the most developed state in Malaysia by 2030.
“Sarawakians have their directions. Whatever we want to do, GPS will have its ways and we will never get ‘lost’. We will continue to not be ‘lost’, but instead we will progress into becoming the most developed state in Malaysia by 2030,” he said when launching the Tan Sri Pehin Sri Adenan Satem Bridge at SJKC Kee Tee hall, here yesterday.
Abang Johari said Sarawakians are blessed with strong unity and in the case of GPS, the coalition consists of Sarawak-born Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).
“These four parties were born in Sarawak and led by Sarawakians who will administer Sarawak, for only Sarawakians know Sarawak well. We in Sarawak live harmoniously regardless of our race and faith, and we are together with great understanding between one another,” he added.
Abang Johari (front, second right), flanked by Uggah (left), Dennis, together with other guests take a walk on the newly completed Tan Sri Pehin Sri Adenan Satem Bridge. Julaihi is at front, third left.
The new bridge across the Baram river, connecting Long Lama town, the Apoh and Tutoh areas to Marudi and Miri city and other parts of Sarawak, has been named the Tan Sri Pehin Sri Adenan Satem Bridge in honour of former chief minister, the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem.
Abang Johari said he had decided to name the bridge after the late Adenan to acknowledge the former chief minister’s great contributions to the development of the area as well as the state.
“This (name of the bridge) is also the wish of the people of Baram,” he pointed out.
The completion of the 573-metre double-lane bridge was fully funded by the Sarawak government at a cost of RM67,109,453.37.
According to Abang Johari, the slanderous remarks made against Adenan when he was putting the foundation for the bridge was because certain parties were jealous that they were not able to build the bridge.
“They cannot deliver, but we can deliver and today we can witness this bridge which has been completely built beautifully,” he said, without stating who ‘they’ were.
“It has transformed Telang Usan, in particular Long Lama from ‘lama’ (old) into a new district. We are gathered here today not just to launch the new bridge, but to also mark the relationship between the old and the new.”
Abang Johari signs a plaque to mark the official launching of the Tan Sri Pehin Sri Adenan Satem Bridge in Long Lama.
Once a quaint town, Long Lama is now experiencing regular traffic jams due to a rise in car ownership among its residents.
“We had never thought of this (traffic jam) happening here before and the hotels are always fully booked.
“This shows that Long Lama is experiencing continuous development as a result of the hard work and dedication of its people’s representatives,” added the chief minister.
Abang Johari then pointed out that Long Lama is a very attractive area with picturesque mountains and nature surrounding it.
He therefore urged people in rural areas to further promote such places of interest alongside their culture, warmth and friendliness.
“The state government will continue to develop rural areas, which has been our utmost priority included in our election manifesto in 2016.
“Even though Tok Nan (Adenan) is no longer with us, we now have Tok Johari (Abang Johari) who will continue his (Adenan) efforts toward these developments.”
He said that throughout his nearly 40-year career as a politician, he always subscribed to the belief that sincerity is an important trait of a true leader.
“I believe God will help you as long as you are sincere, and our (GPS) sincerity is to deliver and upgrade the living standards of our people.
“There will always be people who believe and those who do not believe and say that we just talk, but you cannot bluff God as God sees everything we do, and I believe whatever we say has been ‘recorded’.”
He also stressed that GPS will continue to look after the wellbeing of Sarawak and her people, in accordance with Adenan’s wish prior to his demise in 2017.
“Tok Nan once reminded us to take good care of Sarawak. I am sure all of us here love Sarawak. We love Sarawak, we protect Sarawak, we want Sarawakians to look after Sarawak. That is our struggle.”
Deputy chief ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah and Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, Assistant Minister of Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, Assistant Minister of Coastal Road Datuk Julaihi Narawi, State Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker and Mulu assemblyman Dato Gerawat Gala, Baram MP Anyi Ngau, Telang Usang assemblyman Dennis Ngau, Kayan paramopunt chief Temenggong Elizabeth Deng and Telang Usan District Officer Baru Tai were among those present at the launching.