The Chinese support has come to GPS, says chief minister

 KUCHING, January 30, 2022: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg has acknowledged the return of the Chinese voters in urban areas to Gabungan Parto Sarawak, away from the Opposition, in the last 12^th state election.

Abang Johari and his wife

In his Chinese New Year’s message today, he thanked “our Chinese friends” who have shown tremendous confidence in the GPS administration as shown in the state election.

“My promise of a more meaningful Chinese participation in the government has not been a hollow promise as proven by the appointment of a Deputy Chief Minister (Datuk Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian) from the Chinese community,” Abang Johari, who is also GPS chairman, said.

In urban seats hat the GPS did not win in the state election, the winning margins of the Opposition were greatly reduced as in Batu Lintang, Padungan and Pending.

GPS wrested Palawan, Bukit Assek and Dudong in Sibu and Tanjung Batu in Bintulu and Pujut in Miri  and Kota Sentosa in Kuching at the expense of the DAP.

GPS increased its majorities in the Chinese-dominated seats of Batu Kawah, Batu Kitang, Meradong, Repok, Senadin and Piasau.

The chief minister said the GPS government has triumphed with a 34-point manifesto that has embodied its sincere promise to look after the welfare and interest of the people and bring the State to greater heights in development.

“We have triumphed because we have shown the people that the GPS is capable of forming a credible government with sound social and economic development policies.

“Please be rest assured that my administration will do our level best to fulfil to our people what we have promised to them in the manifesto and stay on track to become a developed state by 2030.

“It is a tall order, but I am confident that with the solid support of the people, and the efficacy of our state civil service, Sarawak can become a digital economic power, boast of excellent infrastructure and utilities and the people enjoying high income,” he added.

He stressed it is not impossible to achieve if “we are all focused on achieving what we have set out to do.”

“I want our civil servants to work hard to ensure that all projects that have been launched are completed on time or without further delay,” he added.

“Now that the pandemic has eased off, there is very little reason for the completion of projects to be delayed for the benefit of the rakyat and to transform our infrastructure,” the chief minister said.

Abang Johari also commended the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) and the frontliners for the success in combating the spread of Covid-19 pandemic in the state.

“We have entered Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan and the infections has gone down to two-figure for sometimes already but still we have to be vigilant to prevent another spike.

“We should acknowledge that all the hard work of SDMC and our frontliners, and the well-rollout vaccination programme is paying off.

“I do hope that the few hundred thousands of people who have not come forward to receive their booster doses would do so as soon as possible in order to have their immunity against Covid further strengthened,” he said.