By CW Claire
It is very unlikely that Premier Abang Johari Openg will serve his last term as Gedong State Legislative Member (SLM) and, by extension, as the premier, this year.
His remarks at yesterday's PBB northern zone special convention may have been interpreted differently. I have repeatedly heard his speech at the political function.
He admitted although he is 76 years old this year, he is still energetic and physically strong for a man of his age. He also declared that he is not senile.
He also admitted that ONE DAY he has to step aside from his political posts. In fact, his utterance is not new. He has said it before.
There is nothing to show that he is slowing down, and in fact, soon after addressing the special convention, he flew to Bangkok for a GASTECH 2026 event.
There were times when he had to go from one official function to another in a day in the past, indicating he is still healthy, physically strong and mentally alert.
If it is true that he will serve his last term as Gedong SLM and premier before the state election this year, he will leave a huge vacuum in the state leadership and state government.
Sarawak cannot afford to have such a situation to happen. It will lead to a political uncertainty, and perhaps, instability.
There must be an orderly transfer of power. There must be no sudden transition. At this moment, there is nothing to show that this will be happening.
Moreover, Abang Johari has many plans for Sarawak that will be materialised by 2030. What about his pet projects, green economy, aerospace technology, carbon capture utilisation and storage and many more, are all projected to be materialised by 2030?
What about negotiations to claim back the "lost" state rights under Malaysia Agreement 1963?
Abang Johari, since becoming the chief minister and then premier in 2017, has transformed Sarawak no other chief ministers before him have done.
Hence, his struggle for the betterment of Sarawak is not over yet. Rest assured.
No comments:
Post a Comment