KUCHING: Sarawak Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Abang Openg said he will divulge more details on the state's rights that had been taken away during Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s administration.
He said the former prime minister, during his 22 years in office, had attempted to centralise the state’s powers.
“So, I heard that the oppositions are talking about decentralisation of powers (for Sabah and Sarawak)...
"After trying to centralise everything, now he’s want to decentralise?,” he said, referring to the Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto.
Abang Johari said in one example was that the federal government had wanted to take over Sarawak power company, Syarikat Sesco Bhd.
"However, our former chief minister Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud told him (Dr Mahathir) that if federal wants to take over, they have to pay RM1 billion, which was the value of the energy company back then.
"In the end, it never materialised.
"Or else, we would have lost our power (energy) and our powers (rights). Actually, there are more cases like this, I will reveal them during the election campaigns,” he said.
Abang Johari said in order to make an informed decision, the people should be informed on such cases.
“Our people need to know what really happened. They have the right to know the truth,” he added.
Speaking at the launch of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Wanita GE14 machinery here, he said the party was well-prepared for the forthcoming general elections.
Abang Johari, who is also PBB president, told members to focus on winning GE14.
“Put everything aside now and focus for the election. Our machineries are on the ground and we are ready to roll out,” he said.
“I don’t want to be overconfident but I believe we can make a clean sweep for all the PBB seats,” he added.