SERIAN: The state government, led by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), needs a big mandate in the upcoming state election on Dec 18, to continue with development efforts, especially on post-Covid-19 pandemic policies, which has been outlined until 2030.
Sarawak caretaker chief minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said although various stories were hawked by certain parties since the dissolution of the Sarawak State Assembly, Sarawakians needed to see that government policies prioritised the people's needs.
"Sekarang bedok telah dibunyikan (now that we are ready for the state election), there will be all sorts of stories. But what needs to be given attention is the government's policy for our future.
"The former state government has a post-pandemic policy until 2030, as such, we need a big mandate from the people to continue this development effort," he said.
Abang Johari said this in his speech during the launch of the Sarawak Pan Borneo for Serian alignment here today.
The launch was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Abang Johari said the people of Sarawak were lucky to have a stable government at the Federal level led by Ismail Sabri, which allowed more programmes for them to be implemented.
He also thanked the Federal government for focusing on the state, especially on the construction of the Pan Borneo Highway, although the implementation of Phase 2 was affected during the 22-month of Pakatan Harapan ruling.
"This illustrates the importance of close cooperation between the Federal government and the state government.
"The late Tok Nan (former chief minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem) asked us to support the then Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak and we got Pan Borneo.
"If this continues with the current prime minister and the state government, the affected Phase 2 will be able to be implemented as per our intention to develop Sarawak," he said.
