The Sarawak state election is just around the corner and politicians from both the ruling coalition and opposition are making their last effort to win the voters heart.
On Saturday (4 December), Prime Minister Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has urged the people of Sarawak to make the “right choice” in the upcoming 12th state election on 18 December so the good relations between the Sarawak State Government and Federal Government can be maintained.
According to Bernama, Ismail said that a good Federal-State Government ties are important to facilitate dealings, especially in implementing development for Sarawak residents.
He then cited the Second Sungai Yong Bridge that costs RM12.6 million, which located about 15 km from Kapit. Ismail claimed would not be implemented if the two governments have a different focus.
Ismail then urge Sarawakians to make the right choice when they voted in the then Barisan Nasional Sarawak coalition to become the state government in the 11th state election in 2016.
Sarawak had always been governed by the same State Government for 58 years, ever since the territory joined Malaysia in 1963.
However, Barisan Nasional Sarawak has since changed its name to Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) after the coalition decided to leave Barisan Nasional following its defeat in the 14th General Election (GE14) back in 2018. Nonetheless, GPS still supports the current Federal Government and gives support to Ismail Sabri as Prime Minister.
Speaking at the People With Leaders session at Kapit Town Square on Saturday (4 December), Ismail said he is more at ease if he works with the Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Jo (Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg) as they are friends.
He also warns that as the 12th state election approaches, many baseless statements would be hurled including allegations that the Federal Government did not give attention to the development of Sarawak.
On the contrary, he said the Federal Government had implemented various development projects in Sarawak including the construction of the Kanowit-Song-Kapit road which costs RM750 million.
Ismail added that they had been targeting all areas regardless of villages in rural areas to achieve internet access to facilitate various activities including children learning by the end of 2022.
He stressed that the federal government gives full attention to the development in Sarawak and the federal government had approved more projects for the local community here.
Meanwhile, netizens were outraged after getting to know that the Prime Minister had made such remarks and had accused him of threatening the community.
Some pointed out that Sarawak is the richest state in the country in terms of resources and revenues, but the people there are still considered poor when compared to the peninsular.
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