KUCHING: The upcoming 12th Sarawak state election should involve only Sarawakians to ensure progress and harmony in the state, said Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
The state elections, he said, should also not be sullied by "petty issues" such as those which are plaguing the Peninsular.
Speaking at the launch of the new Miri City Hall building in Miri today, Abang Johari spoke on the importance of grooming local leaders who are sensitive to the needs of all races and religions in Sarawak.
"I don't want anyone to create petty and unnecessary problems such as the recent Timah whiskey issue in the Peninsular.
"We don't understand why the name 'Timah' became an issue there, we don't have any such problems here. We even allow Christians in the state to use the word "Allah."
"I hope we can maintain such a culture among our people. So, let the coming Sarawak election involve only Sarawakians. We don't want the parties and leaders from the Peninsular as they would be bringing their culture here," he said.
Abang Johari said a state or nation rich in natural resources would not be able to progress without a stable government.
"We are glad that Sarawak, under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) administration, remains politically stable. Our people from different races, religions and cultures continue to live together peacefully."
"If we keep changing our government and fighting among ourselves, who (investors) would want to come here? We are able to continue to attract investments and boost economic growth in the state due to the political stability and harmony in Sarawak," he said.
He said the GPS government has always prioritised the people instead of its personal agenda.
He said in his 40 years of politics, disagreements between colleagues are common but it should not lead to abandoning one's principles and the party.
He said there were some who would quit their party and form another when they became unhappy over certain issues. This, he said, was because their own agendas were not met.
"We in the government have no personal agenda. I don't have any personal agenda. My colleagues in GPS don't have personal interests. We all know we are working for the people."
On the RM92 million Miri City Hall project, Abang Johari said the project was promised by the GPS in 2018 and has been fulfilled and delivered to the people in Miri.
"We in the GPS government put aside our personal agenda and focus on the people, which is why we can deliver," he said, promising to bring more progress if the GPS government continue to receive solid support from the people in the state election.