KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s initiatives since taking office have been people-centric, says Datuk Sim Kiang Chiok, the chairman of Sarawak United People’s Party’s (SUPP) Stakan branch.
“Our chief minister has shown that he is a smart leader in standing up for our rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), and he has imposed the oil and gas sales tax.
“He is brave in overcoming the obstacles that the previous PH (Pakatan Harapan) government and Petronas put up.
“This sales tax, which has added an extra RM3bln per annum to our state’s income, has saved — and is still saving — our lives and livelihoods through the various cash handouts, purchasing of new medication/ PPE against Covid-19, reduction of utility rates, house assessments and business loans.
“The Sarawakku Sayang Special Aid (BKSS) 1.0 to 7.0 have helped all Sarawakians and with the new BKSS 8.0, more assistance can be expected,” Sim said on Tuesday (Jan 11).
Apart from the chief minister’s initiatives, he noted that Sarawakians had given their strong support to Abang Johari to continue running the state government through the recent state election.
“This support didn’t happen by accident but by the pure commitment of our chief minister to deliver what was promised.
“In the state election, the newly elected government also pledged 34 promises in their manifesto that will complement and add more initiatives in the running of our government to achieve a high income state by 2030.”
Sim said the business community was pleased that many of its proposals were accepted by the state government to be implemented.
He recalled that Abang Johari had also asked the state’s civil servants to help expedite the initiatives by reducing red tape.
“Education, utilities, telecommunications, infrastructure, financial services, healthcare, housing, green industry, urban renewal programme, protection and preserving of our heritage, modernisation of agriculture industry, social welfare and digital economy are some of the initiatives that are good for all Sarawakian businesses that will help their business grow and also provide employment for our population.”
