Awang Tengah (fourth left) receives a memento from Gerawat, as (from right) Lukanisman, Hasbi, Dr Abdul Rahman, Rosey, Dennis and Naroden look on.
MIRI: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan highlights unity as the core strength of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to help it win in the next state election.
He said the victory would enable the coalition to continue implementing the Sarawak development agenda and protecting the rights of Sarawakians.
“So we must remain united. Only in GPS, under the leadership of our Chief Minister, can we take care of Sarawak, protect its interests, (and) fight for the people’s rights and interests,” he said in his address for an appreciation dinner hosted by Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Northern Zone Convention committee here on Friday.
Awang Tengah, who is also PBB deputy president, regarded GPS as far different from other political entities that would only emerge during election time.
He further pointed out that GPS’ aim for victory was for the sake of the people of Sarawak, and not for positions like what was happening in Peninsular Malaysia.
“We’re grateful because we have discipline and we are really working for the good of the people, and not working for elections – every time, every second, during happy times, during hard times; this is our way in Sarawak. This is our discipline in PBB that we should preserve,” he stressed.
He said over the past three years, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had planned and implemented numerous projects with large funding, including continuing the projects that had been cancelled by the federal government when it was under Pakatan Harapan (PH) rule.
“We are thankful that our Chief Minister can boost the state’s income through the sales tax on oil and gas products. He would continue to strengthen this income as it is needed for us to implement projects and take care of the people’s welfare,” he added.
He also said in the next Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting, the state government could increase the allocations focusing on rural development.
Meanwhile, Awang Tengah who also chaired the PBB Northern Zone Convention, said he was proud with the success and smooth running of the event here last month, which had become a benchmark for PBB conventions in other zones.
Mulu assemblyman Dato Gerawat Gala, also the event’s organising chairman, said the hard work of the working committee had contributed to the success of the convention and at the same time, it promoted the spirit of friendship among members from 17 PBB Northern Zone branches.
Federal Deputy Minister of Transport and Limbang MP Hasbi Habibollah; Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni; Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development and Bukit Kota assemblyman Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail; Assistant Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development and Bekenu assemblywoman Datuk Rosey Yunus; Assistant Minister of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais; Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau and Lambir assemblyman Ripin Lamat were among those attending the dinner.