[UPDATED] I’m sorry, Guan Eng tells Sarawak

KUALA LUMPUR – DAP national chairman Lim Guan Eng has expressed his apology over previous remarks that may have offended the state government and its premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.

His statement comes just moments after party secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook made a similar apology to the East Malaysian state.

In a Facebook post, Lim urged all quarters to put aside past differences for the sake of the country.

“The future of the country is more important,” he said today.

“Let us make a fresh start to cooperate together to preserve the diversity, inclusiveness and unity of our multiracial and multicultural society as well as protect our federal constitution for the benefit of all in the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak.”

While Lim did not mention what he was specifically apologising for, the Bagan MP previously made several critical remarks against Sarawak during his stint as finance minister. 

In January 2019, the DAP leader questioned why the state owed the federal government over RM2.5 billion despite having a huge reserve. 

In June, Lim claimed that Sarawak would go bankrupt in three years’ time if it continued to be ruled by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition. 

A month later, he provoked further ire when he said the Finance Ministry will not channel up to RM350 million for dilapidated school repair projects in Sarawak as long as the state government does not repay its debts of the same amount to the federal government. 

Earlier today, Loke apologised to the people of Sarawak and the state government for any offensive statements that his party members had issued in the past. 

He said he had met with Abang Johari at his Kuching residence this morning, accompanied by Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.  

“We had a friendly talk. I informed the YAB Premier that if there is any statement by any DAP leaders that has offended the government and the people of Sarawak, I – on behalf of DAP – would like to publicly apologise.” – The Vibes, November 24, 2022