GE14 | Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg today unveiled the state BN’s manifesto for the 14th general election.

“Today we launch our Sarawak BN manifesto to complement the BN manifesto announced earlier by the (caretaker) prime minister (Najib Abdul Razak), and more importantly to ensure that the aspiration of all the people in Sarawak becomes a reality,” the state BN chairperson said when launching the manifesto at Parti Pesaka Bumpitera Bersatu (PBB) Sarawak headquarters in Kuching.

Themed “Transforming Sarawak Through Digital Economy”, it outlines six thrusts, the first of which pledges that the state government will continue to safeguard Sarawak’s rights and preserve harmony, and secondly to continue to provide better educational opportunities and facilities.

The state government also pledges to continue to enhance rural transformation, and to improve the quality of life of the people, and to initiate new opportunities for continuous progress and prosperity.

The sixth pledges that the state government will continue to practice good governance and integrity.

Abang Johari further pledged the state’s full support to the caretaker prime minister, as most of the BN manifesto’s pledges will benefit Sarawak, especially in areas such as infrastructure development, education, and matters that are much closer to Sarawak’s heart – the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

The BN manifesto announced by Najib two days ago among others promised that the rights of Sabah and Sarawak under MA63 will be realised by consensus, and to return the rights to have control over electricity and gas in the two states.

According to the manifesto booklet distributed at the ceremony, the state currently is aggressively pursuing four matters.

The first refers to its right to reinstate Sarawak status as per the original Federal Constitution, and its right over oil and gas beyond the Oil and Mining Ordinance, and over tourism, while the second involves seeking more rights under the devolution of power initiative.

The third refers to financial review, involving the increase of special grant from the federal government as provided in the Federal Constitution, and finally all other rights of the state that were eroded after 1963.

- Bernama