Zahid hails Sarawak as ‘most politically stable state’

 

Parti Rakyat Sarawak president Joseph Salang (left) presenting deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi with a souvenir at a ‘pre-Gawai’ gathering in Kuching, Sarawak, on Saturday night. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says Sarawak is the most politically stable state in the country, which has helped usher in development and progress.

Zahid said the political stability has enabled Sarawak to introduce hydrogen technology and establish seven Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions, which no other states have done, Borneo Post reported.

The political stability achieved has enabled Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg to gain popularity not only in Malaysia, but in Asean and Asia as well, he was quoted as saying.

Zahid, who is in Kuching for a visit, said Sarawak has proven that TVET can help youths secure jobs.

“Previously, TVET was considered a second or even third choice by parents, who felt it was the (only) option after failing academically,” he said.

Zahid, who is also the rural and regional development minister, said he would prioritise infrastructure development in Sarawak’s rural areas.

He said he had been informed by Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Joseph Salang that despite some of the projects being approved, implementation was “slow”.

“I will raise the matter with the public works department.

“And with another leader from Sarawak, who is the works minister, we will travel to Sarawak more frequently to assist in expediting the implementation of these projects,” he said, referring to Alexander Nanta Linggi.

Zahid also said the rural community yearned for water and electricity supply as well as community halls.

While longhouses did not come under his ministry’s purview, he had allowed the ministry to assist with the repairs of longhouses that were dilapidated, affected by fire or floods, or other infrastructure problems due to his “closeness” to the community. - FMT