KUCHING: The announcement of the RM500 special assistance for federal civil servants in Sarawak, set for payout by next June, is not a clear indication that 12th state election would be called at any time next year, says a political veteran
Dato Peter Minos plays down the significance of this special assistance, stressing that he personally sees it as Sarawak’s way of saying ‘thank you’ to each and every member of the federal civil service in the state.
In his winding-up speech during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting last month, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg announced the aid of two months’ basic salary, or a minimum of RM2,000 for Sarawak’s state civil servants – to be disbursed this Dec 18, on pay-day.
However during the State Civil Service Day 2019 here on Wednesday, the Chief Minister announced the RM500 special assistance to the over 90,000 members of the federal civil service serving in Sarawak.
“So, that RM500 special assistance from the Sarawak government for them (federal civil servants) is something of a top-up. However, there are some people who are over-reading this RM500 gift from Sarawak – they say it has to do with Sarawak election in 2021 or earlier in 2020.
“I’d say ‘maybe’, because there are some other bigger things and issues that determine the timing of an election,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Minos pointed out that among the determining indicators on when the next state election would be called would be the level of readiness and preparation of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), and also Abang Johari as the ruling coalition’s chairman.