Senator raps ‘absurd’ Dr Mahathir for asking S’wak to help poorer states

KUCHING (Oct 30): It is “absurd” for former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to suggest that Sarawak contribute to the development of poorer states such as Kedah, said Senator Abun Sui Anyit.

The Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) national supreme council member said it is not the responsibility of any state government to help develop another state.

“I support Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg’s answer in dismissing Mahathir’s suggestion.

“I also do not agree with Mahathir in this matter because there are many other areas in Sarawak, especially in the interior, that need to be developed. It is not for Sarawak to help other states, but to help areas within Sarawak which are still backward,” he said in a statement.

Abun also hoped that Sarawak’s reserves amounting to RM40 billion would be used as much as possible to develop the state as a whole, including hinterland areas such as Belaga and Baram.

Dr Mahathir was reported on Monday suggesting that Sarawak help out the country’s underdeveloped states due to its high-income status.

This prompted a rebuke from Abang Johari, who on Tuesday stressed that it was the job of the federal government and not Sarawak to help develop poorer states.

The Premier said although Sarawak is a high-income state, there was still much more to be done to improve the incomes of Sarawakian households.