Ongkili: Sarawak privileged to have Adenan as chief minister

Ongkili (in Orang Ulu head gear) and others give the thumbs-up together with Uma Daro folk.

Ongkili mingles with Uma Juman folk when campaigning for the Belaga and Murum seats.

KUCHING: Sarawak has grown by leaps and bounds under the administration of Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem since he took the helm as chief minister just two years ago.

Describing Adenan as a ‘strategic thinker and smart political craftsman’, Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Ongkili also said the chief minister had always been sincere in what he did for Sarawak.

“Adenan has proven to be the man of the hour. Sarawak is privileged to have him as the chief minister,” said Ongkili in addressing Sungai Asap folk when campaigning for the Belaga and Murum seats yesterday.

Ongkili, who is also the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) deputy president, said Adenan’s leadership had been inspirational to many, including leaders in Sabah.

Since his appointment two years ago, Adenan had made some 50 important initiatives and actions, making him a leader with growing and well-respected stature, especially in resolving problems and issues faced by the state.

Among his achievements were abolishing tolls, reducing electricity rates, addressing illegal logging, reintroducing Malay-English bilingualism in Sarawak’s administration and strengthening the Malaysia Agreement 1963 in regaining the state’s autonomy through well-structured negotiation.

“Even the uncompromising position he took to defend the use of the word ‘Allah’ for Christian worships and publications in particular is reassuring to both Sarawak and Sabah Christians.”

Ongkili noted that Adenan’s stand on the autonomy issues for Sarawak and administrative empowerment had redefined the East Malaysian states’ position in the Federation of Malaysia.

“He once told me that he is living on borrowed time from God, and he has no other agenda but to see Sarawak develop better by tapping on the resources from the federal government.

“He is indeed a great defender of Sarawak’s rights, and he deserves to be given the full support and mandate for another solid victory for Barisan Nasional in Sarawak. His heart is with the people of Sarawak,” said Ongkili, adding that the opposition in fact could not help to develop Sarawak.

May 4, 2016, Wednesday 

reporters@theborneopost.com