Kuching, June 26, 2012: Right-thinking Sarawakians should thank Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for disclosing that Sarawak has a total debts of RM4.3 billion incurred by the BN Sarawak government.
Lim, the DAP secretary general, wondered why Sarawak, being one of the richest states in Malaysia in term of natural resources, has accummulated such a huge debts.
Of the total, RM2 billion is owed to the Federal Government and the rest, RM2.3 billion, to the private sector.
Speaking at at a DAP political rally at Taman BDC here on Sunday night, Lim, known for his recognised clean image, expressed shock at the Sarawak's huge debts.
He blamed the accummulation of debts to mismanagement, corruption and leakages by the Sarawak government.
“Sarawak should not have owed so much since it is one of the richest states in term of natural resources,” Lim said.
Lim's shocking revelation is sure to arose anger among the Sarawakians, who at this stage, have no knowledge of the mounting debts.
The Sarawak government is known for being the most secretative in its financial management, and that the public does not even know how much is the state's reserves.
On the other hand, Lim said, Penang, poor in term of natural resources, does not owe money to the private sector.
“What we have is the RM30 million debts still left with the federal government as at the end of last year,” he said, adding that when he took over as Chief Minister after the 2008 general election, Penang’s accumulated debts was RM630 million. By Sematong Express
