All praise for Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Account 1 withdrawal facility

 

Kudos to Malaysia Budget 2021 which included the targeted Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Account 1 withdrawal facility that serves as another measure to help alleviate burden of those affected by Covid19 with regard to household expenses.

I thank our local media friends who had asked for my personal comments on this matter which had been widely spoken by our local folks from all strata of the society and looking for the government's consideration to enable them withdraw such funds from EPF.

We therefore welcome such measure which will can assist in restoring the economic cycle of our local folks affected by the present situation. The government's continuation of the i-Lestari Account 2 withdrawal scheme is also welcomed where contributors can also withdraw up to RM1,000 from EPF accounts 1 and 2 to relieve them of their financial burden due to the pandemic.

Our 2021 Budget can be viewed as comprehensive despite the government was facing various financial constraints and the initiatives provided under the budget will help reduce the people’s burden as well as to revitalise the country's economy. Thus, next year's budget can be seen as a response to the challenges faced in the current Covid-19 situation and economic downturn.

Feeling blessed and grateful for Malaysia Budget 2021

There were a lot of comments levelled on the recent tabling of our Malaysia Budget 2021 and my response is that now is not the time to compare which state gets more allocation for development and in fact this is not the time for us to make comparison on which state gets more or why that state gets less.

This is the time where we look at it holistically, that whatever is announced for our state, we should feel grateful. I know that Sabah is given a little more than us which is RM5.1 billion while Sarawak only gets RM4.5 billion for development expenditure.

For Sabah, in terms of infrastructure, it is not too good and in terms of their reserve, it cannot be compared to Sarawak’s reserve and we are still grateful for what was given; the important thing is that the state is peaceful, does not face huge problems and is politically stable.

I am also grateful to our local media friends who have asked on whether there be any good news to expect from the upcoming State Budget 2021and I have told them that money is not really a big problem when it comes to coming up with projects which are for the people’s benefit.

Of course we look forward to the upcoming State Budget that will be tabled by our Right Honourable Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and the state is blessed with the leadership that has been able to lead and organise Sarawak well.

Although other states are facing economic problems but over here we can see that projects on the ground are on the increase. Even in my Asajaya constituency, it is quite difficult to sort out the contracts because there are too many projects going on. To some extent, I feel that this is done because our financial management is well taken care of.

We are therefore feeling blessed with our fund and reserves which are much bigger if compared to other states, along with the remuneration from the state sales tax (SST) that we get from Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas). Hence, in Sarawak our local folks does not feel much burdened by the slowdown of the economy. 

GPS can win big in upcoming Sarawak 12th State Elections (PRN12)

As Vice-President of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), I believe Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) can win with big majority in the coming 12th State Election (PRN12) based on the good track record that we have over the past years. I say this because our people are aware of the GPS government’s efforts to bring development to the state and the ruling coalition is fully prepared for the state polls.

I believe GPS would win handsomely. I think the rakyat knows what the GPS government has been doing too. On division of seats among GPS component parties, I opined that it has been settled and that the party with stronger election machinery on the ground should be given the chance to stand in that particular seat, as it is better to win the seat for GPS than to squabble.

For myself, whether  I will defend my seat or not will depends on the party, and I will respect the decision because that is PBB culture. On the issue of Parti Peribumi Bersatu (Bersatu)’s position in GPS, I have mentioned to our media friends that they are a GPS friendly party in the federal government, and here at the state level, they are our friend too. I have also asked on whether GPS would allocate any seat for Bersatu to contest in the state election but anything GPS does is in the spirit of co-operation. 

It is not to say not to give, but there is always narrating the spirit of co-operation especially if we are friendly to each other. They are not our enemy because the federal government is Pakatan Nasional (PN) and GPS, which also means that GPS is allied to PN and not one of the components in PN. Bersatu might have found out the sentiment on the ground, and as they do not have any seats in the current state assembly, they may have been doing their own survey to know if they have any chance of winning.

Similarly, when asked if the 2018 Parliament election result will have any bearing in the coming state election, I did mention that Parliament and State elections are different, and Sarawakians are more concerned about the state election.

The candidates for the coming PRN12 will be considered based on their age, academic background, personality, relationship with the electorates and health. The party is also open to fielding more women candidate to fulfill the target of 30 per cent women representation, which GPS has almost achieved. It will be good if both Parliament and State elections should be held at the same timebecause of cost saving factor.

For Sarawak, we have an election every 2 to 2.5 years, and we are busy campaigning all year. If can hold both together is a good suggestion, but it depends on the higher up. Election costs hundreds of millions which is the people’s money. The state election can be held anytime from now to June 7 next year when the current DUN term automatically dissolves as the first sitting for the current term was on June 7, 2016, 

Sarawak football needs our support to get through their tough 2020 season

Recently I have expressed by concern over the financial crisis faced by our Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) and the call for its president, Dato Posa Majais to resign from his post. The call was made by both former state players and coaches associations after Dato Posa had suggested that Sarawak could withdraw from the Malaysian League (M-League) next season due to financial constraints.

The Sarawak Former Footballers Association and Sarawak Football Coaches Association – and some of the FAS members were certainly unhappy with the statement and questioned Dato Posa’s capability in solving the long-standing financial problems in the FAS. Howver, I believe the issue could be resolved amiably through talks and urged the concerned parties in the crisis to sit together to find a solution.

I was also saddened when reading it on our local newspapers but we need to give our full support to the association because football is a very popular in Malaysia especially in Sarawak and we have 2 teams playing in the prestigious Malaysian League (MFL). As the state Sports Minister, I will not let football sink and I want FAS to be well governed. Thus, I will hold a meeting with FAS over the matter. 

There is friction among the divisions, from top to bottom in FAS and I don’t want to see conflict among them. We must understand no amount of finger-pointing would not help solve the problem. On another note, there is a need by Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to try to understand the financial situation of teams in Sarawak and our neighbour Sabah.Therefore, the national governing body should give bigger allocations to Sarawak and Sabah than that of the other states, otherwise it’s better for us to just play in Borneo.

Our problem is also not unique because there 5 other state teams which are facing disqualification if FAS opted to withdraw from the M-League next season.These teams will include Sarawak United FC (Premier League), Sarawak United II (M3 League), Sarawak United III (President Cup), Sarawak United IV (Youth Cup) and Sarawak United (FAM Futsal League). Kuching FA is another local team which is competing in the Premier League. and the clubside has finished fourth in the national second tier league this season and will kick off their first campaign in the Malaysia Cup against defending champions JDT soon.

Our Election Commission (EC) should look into new standard operating procedures and guidelines

It is my opinion for the election commission (EC) should look into new standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines when conducting the state election here so that there will not be a repeat of an outbreak like that of the recent Sabah state elections. As there is there is no upcoming elections, I think the EC should be more proactive in looking for ways to hold elections, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Personally, since there is no election, they should also look into postal voting. If US, New Zealand can do it, we should look into it too. If we look at the we do banking right now we can have faith in telebanking, everything is safe, why can’t EC look into something like this. We are getting more advanced, it can’t be we don’t trust our system, until now want to show our inked fingers? Only in India they do that because India have billions of people.

I spoke on these when our media friends asked me on when the state election could be held, after which our Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had given some indication that it will depend a little on how the Covid-19 situation in the state progresses, and will find somewhere to slot it in between now and June next year. It might not be when CM initially had planned it. He wanted it much earlier this year. And with the recent spike in Covid-19 cases, we still have time (to hold it). And if  the EC is able or not to conduct election properly with new SOPs, new guidelines, they did not do this in Sabah, unfortunately. They should be more stringent and must be proactive.”

Every month next year will have its own holiday. In February, there’s the Lunar Chinese New Year, March there’s school exam, April there’s the fasting month, and in May we have Hari Raya Aidilfitri, while in June there’s Gawai. We will find a slot somewhere between Nov to June next year.