SIBU: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian reiterated that Sarawak is no longer as it was 10 years ago, as the state has become more developed and is generating greater income.
The Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president stressed that the success of Sarawak today is due to the unity of its people, political stability, and strong leadership.
“The political stability began with two parties, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and SUPP. These are the main two parties, and later on, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) joined.
“Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg always says that, even in December, when he attended our party event, he still emphasised our partnership and loyalty.
“When we are up, we are together; when we are down, we are still together. And that’s how our party members are — a very special relationship,” he said at the installation of the SUPP Bawang Assan branch committee at a hotel here today (Jan 12).
He added that the Sarawak government’s initiatives, announced by Abang Johari, including free education, student pocket money, and Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SKAS), have made more Malaysians not only want to come to Sarawak but also want to become Sarawakians.
“Do you realise that civil servants received a five-month bonus? Last December, two months’ bonus was given, and now every month there’s an allowance, roughly totalling three months’ bonus.
“If we wanted to play politics, we would have given them a five-month bonus. But last Monday, one of my staff told me, ‘Dr Sim, luckily you didn’t give me five months. December’s two-month bonus, right? RM8,000 income tax.’
“This shows how considerate the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government is in prioritising the people’s interests. If we wanted to play politics, we would have given a five-month bonus,” he added.
Also present were SUPP Bawang Assan chairman Kelvin Lau and Senator Robert Lau.
