‘Don’t come here and tell us what to do’
“While the federal government has been dipping into Petronas, and borrowing money from other countries with Panda and Samurai bonds, the national debt keeps on increasing.”
(Sarawak Tribune) – Santubong MP Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar took a swipe at Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng after the latter suggested that Sarawak would be bankrupt within three years due to the large budget tabled by the state government.
“Don’t come here and tell us what to do. You can’t possibly sabotage Sarawak’s economy by saying that the state will be bankrupt. Don’t speak without thinking first,” Junaidi said when contacted by New Sarawak Tribune.
“Previously, he (Lim) said that the country will be bankrupt when campaigning (for GE14). Barisan Nasional did not drive the country into bankruptcy but Pakatan Harapan will if Guan Eng continues to remain as Finance Minister.
“Guan Eng should discard the attitude where he thinks he is smarter than everyone of us. Ever since Pakatan Harapan assumed the government, the financial management has not improved.
“The economy is declining; the cost of living has increased and our currency has deteriorated compared to the US dollar. This shows that there is a financial mismanagement at the federal level which is driving investors away.
“While the federal government has been dipping into Petronas, and borrowing money from other countries with Panda and Samurai bonds, the national debt keeps on increasing.
“Approved infrastructure projects from the BN era have been cancelled, downscaled or postponed. Where exactly did they spend the money? Your financial management is lacklustre. Don’t come to Sarawak to play politics,” Junaidi said.
The former Natural Resources and Environment Minister pointed out that Sarawak’s expenditure was within its financial ability which was supplemented through annual revenues and incomes.
“The question of the state dipping into its reserves has never been raised. Where did Guan Eng get the information of Sarawak dipping into its reserves?
“The state’s financial management is the best in Malaysia which was even praised by the Auditor General, what does Guan Eng have to worry about?
Junaidi also questioned the Finance Minister and Pakatan Harapan’s sincerity to develop Sarawak.
“Doesn’t he want to see Sarawak’s infrastructure being developed? This is what the Chief Minister and the state Cabinet members have been doing which is to develop the rural outskirts.
“The state has to assume responsibility of the incomplete bridge projects such as Batang Rambungan, Batang Lupar, Batang Lassa and Batang Igan that we have to take over in order to develop the state.
Junaidi expressed his displeasure with the Pakatan Harapan Cabinet members who visited Sarawak only to criticise the state government.
“These include Sarawak Pakatan Harapan MPs and their agents. They don’t even want to help develop the state. When we asked why prior projects were cancelled, they would respond angrily.
“But when the state government funds projects by itself, they are still not satisfied. It is clear that they (Pakatan Harapan) don’t want to develop Sarawak.”
The Santubong MP also questioned the whereabouts of Sarawak’s share of money that was still owed by the federal government.
“Where is our share of the Petronas money? Why is it that the producing state doesn’t even get anything? Where are Sarawak Pakatan Harapan members? They don’t even dare to say a word.”
“Now I hear that the federal government is making offers to take over four toll concessions which are done for it to fulfil its manifesto in the interest of the people living in the big cities but what money are you using to fund the takeover? Is it the money borrowed from other countries or is it Petronas money?”
