Its chairman Abdullah Saidol said Abang Johari had done it in less than two months after taking over as chief minister.
“This acquisition is significant and is part of Abang Johari’s efforts to strengthen the state’s coffers and better control of not only the state’s resources but also to ensure acceleration of the state’s development programmes without depending too much on federal funding,” he said in a press statement signed also by other club members.
Abang Johari announced the acquisition of the Bakun HEP dam by the state from the Federal Government at a press conference on Monday.
The press statement, according to a report in The Borneo Post, said the acquisition of the Bakun HEP augured well for Sarawakians as it meant “regaining of autonomy of our own state’s resources”.
“This is a big achievement by the chief minister. With such control over our own resources, it will facilitate more businesses and development especially in the semi-urban areas,” the statement said.
“Bakun HEP is going to be under our own state government’s wholly-owned company, Sarawak Energy Bhd, which also operates two other HEPs – Batang Ai and Murum. It is a pride for Sarawak.”
It said the acquisition would make Sarawak Energy Bhd’s operation more efficient and provide consumers with optimum service.
The backbenchers club added: “Now that we have full autonomy on Bakun HEP we can have all Sarawakians to fill all the important posts,” according to the Borneo Post report.