Premier: ‘Good news’ on S’wak’s Affin Bank share acquisition to be announced in a week

KUCHING (Sept 21): Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said today that he will announce the “good news” on the state government’s acquisition of shares in Affin Bank in a week.

According to him, all due process including that with Bank Negara Malaysia has been going well.

“All have been dealt with including Bank Negara Malaysia. We will have our bank in no time.

“Give it another week,” he said at the 100th anniversary celebration of Rh Nanga Samu, Paku in Betong today.

Abang Johari was delighted to note that the oldest longhouse in Sarawak had produced 162 graduates shining in various fields including sociology, arts, engineering and technology, to date.

He believed that these graduates had contributed to the development of Sarawak over the decades.

He said the state government is developing a sustainable economy which is the new method forward for Sarawak to achieve high-income status.

As such, he hoped that the community including those in Betong will embrace technology in tandem with the state’s development agenda.

“I have allocated RM1.5 billion as a development fund for Betong for a period of three years.

“I know the older generation may not be able to cope with technology but at least the younger generation must pick up,” he said.

Abang Johari said Sarawak’s economy must continue to stay strong so that more development projects can be implemented to benefit Sarawakians.

“When Sarawak is strong, so is Malaysia. We have natural resources and we adopt technology, with this, we can be stronger.

“We no longer use the traditional method, we go for the new method,” he added.

Pointing out that Rh Nanga Samu, Paku, Betong has been standing for 100 years, he said the longhouse as well as Sarawak can remain strong for another 100 years.

“Let’s stay strong and we shall thrive for another 100 years. Together, we can see a stronger Sarawak,” he said.

Earlier, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the 100th anniversary of Rh Nanga Samu, Paku marked a historic event in the history of Betong.

“This is the oldest longhouse in Sarawak and our first Dayak graduate is from this longhouse.

“Under the able leadership of our premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, our economy is steering forward.

“Abang Johari is a missionary leader, brave and determined as well as being committed to his goal of protecting Sarawak’s rights and developing Sarawak.

“The development we have today is not based on luck but because of Abang Johari’s wisdom and able leadership.

“He is an inclusive leader; a leader for all in Sarawak,” said the Bukit Saban assemblyman.

Uggah said the state government had set aside RM70 million for an income enhancement project in Bukit Saban.

According to him, they are still struggling on how to raise the income of the folk in Bukit Saban.

“We aim to raise the income for the people in the whole Betong and this is in line with Sarawak’s goal of achieving a high-income economy by 2030,” he said.

He said Abang Johari had laid out a foundation for socio-economic development in Betong and this included the construction of a Short Take-off and Landing Airport (STOLport).

“This project, which costs RM248 million, is under construction and doing well.

“I assure you this will be completed on time and we will be able to export our products straight from Betong to Singapore,” he said.

Uggah said a collecting, packaging and processing centre is also being constructed near the STOLport, costing RM17 million.

“We have the modal, and the infrastructure we can build.

“With all these development projects in place, there is no reason we in this division cannot achieve high-income economy by 2030,” he said.