I’m no magician, I need time, says Abang Johari after critics accuse him of failing to deliver projects

0

Abang Johari (fourth left) beating the drum together with (from left) Karim, Manyin, Uggah, Asfia, Masing, Fatimah and Dr Sim to officially launch the Sarawakku Sayang programme at Kota Samarahan Civic Centre today.

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has today said he is not a magician who can complete projects in the blink of an eye after he was accused of failing to deliver on what he had announced.

He said his critics, who include opposition members, had called him David Copperfield on social media, accusing him of only announcing that projects would be implemented but nothing materialised.

“Give me time. It takes time for the implemented development projects to be completed. Some people in social media said: ‘Abang Jo only talk, but nothing done’. Of course what I initiated will take time to happen. We cannot just lay water pipes and immediately everyone gets water supply. Wouldn’t that be weird?

“I am no David Copperfield. I don’t do magic, like them (the opposition). These development projects take time to complete,” he said at the launch of the Sarawakku Sayang programme here this morning.

David Copperfield is a renowned American magician and illusionist who famously made the Statue of Liberty in New York City disappear in front of a live television audience in 1983. He has been described as the most commercially successful magician in history.

Earlier, Abang Johari said the state government beginning this year until 2025, will ensure all of its development projects like the Rural Electrification Scheme and the Sarawak Rural Water Supply programme would be implemented in all settlements throughout the state.

The state government, he said, would also build extensive rural road networks including bridges.

Abang Johari also said the state government would continue surveying land and issuing titles to Native Customary Rights (NCR) land owners.

Denying claims that the state government would take away the people’s land if they are not surveyed, he said: “The state government is not taking your land away. It is your land to be developed. The more you have the better it is for you and Sarawak.

“You develop your land in any way including agriculture through modern technology.”

Abang Johari also cited a popular quote from the former chief minister, the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, telling Sarawakians to take care of their state.

“If Sarawak continues to be united and harmonious like it is now, we will be able to carry out Tok Nan’s wish. Jagalah Sarawak bait bait (Take care of Sarawak properly). We must always be united.

“My colleagues and I in the State Cabinet will continue to administer Sarawak as best we can for the benefit of all Sarawakians. Of course there will be some hiccups along the way, but more importantly it is about Sarawak,” he said.

Abang Johari had succeeded Adenan as Chief Minister after he passed away on January 11, 2017. Adenan was appointed Sarawak’s fifth Chief Minister on March 1, 2014.

Also present at the event today were Deputy Chief Ministers Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing and Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, State Secretary Datuk Jaul Samion, Minister for Local Government and Housing Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian.