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Sarawak leaders extend warm welcome to Muhyiddin in first visit as PM

The prime minister's visit comes on the back of a rebellion by a group of top Umno leaders.

Staff Writers
2 minute read
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Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin (centre) at a special meeting today with civil servants in Kuching, Sarawak. With him is Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg (right). This is Muhyiddin's first visit to Sarawak since becoming prime minister. Photo: Bernama
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin (centre) at a special meeting today with civil servants in Kuching, Sarawak. With him is Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg (right). This is Muhyiddin's first visit to Sarawak since becoming prime minister. Photo: Bernama

Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg today extended a warm welcome to Muhyiddin Yassin as the prime minister pledged his administration’s full support to turn Sarawak into the most developed state in the country.

Addressing civil servants in the state at a hotel in Kuching, both leaders pledged closer ties and cooperation in achieving Sarawak’s 10-year development target, with an emphasis on infrastructure and agriculture.

Abang Johari in his speech thanked Muhyiddin for the assistance given to Sarawak to cushion the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Sarawak too received assistance from the prime minister. Thank you very much, sir, for your concern about Sarawak,” he said.

This is Muhyiddin’s first official visit to the state since Perikatan Nasional (PN) was established with help from Sarawak’s ruling MPs.

Muhyiddin said he was touched by the support shown by the chief minister.

“I can’t remember the last time I was here, but possibly it was during the old administration.

“I did not imagine I would come here again as the prime minister,” he said.

Muhyiddin’s visit today comes on the back of attacks on his PN government from Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

MPs from Sarawak’s GPS, the coalition formed after the collapse of Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 2018 general election, had backed Muhyiddin for the post of prime minister.

One of Muhyiddin’s first steps after taking the top office was to settle billions of ringgit in petroleum sales tax imposed on Putrajaya, following the failure of the previous government to fulfil a promise to increase payment of royalties for oil extracted from Sarawak.

Muhyiddin today pledged his government’s support to turn Sarawak into the most developed state in the country, saying it has the resources to achieve its development target.

He said Sarawak’s 10-year development target was in line with Putrajaya’s direction.

“You can see how the federal government and Sarawak work very much in line together.

“The way forward for Sarawak is indeed very promising. I assure you that we will give you the fullest support to reliase your vision, to make Sarawak the most developed state in Malaysia.

“Sarawak is a very rich state, rich in all sorts of resources,” he added.