2023 proves a challenging year for the nation

MIRI: As we enter the last week of 2023, many of us are hoping to face 2024 with hope.

The year 2023, witnessed a variety of iconic moments from various sectors in the State.

In July 2023, World Bank announced that the gross national income (GNI) per capita in Sarawak exceeded US$13,205 or RM61,500 for the first time, making it a high-income state in Malaysia, after Kuala Lumpur and Labuan.

With various strategic planning carried out, Sarawak’s economy in 2023 was resilient.

The labour market remained strong, inflation at first continued its stubborn ways but then it began to retreat, stocks did well and the economy grew more than predicted.

Member of Parliament for Miri Chiew Choon Man reflected the year 2023 as a challenging year for the nation.

“The year 2023 has proven to be a challenging year for us, as the new government faced significant challenges across various political fronts. In the first six months, we navigated through state elections in six states and grappled with economic uncertainty, marked by surging inflation and the plight of low-income citizens,” he said.

Chiew added concurrently, regional conflicts from last year’s Ukraine Russia War to the Middle East conflict and the ongoing competition between China and the United States, subjected the nation to considerable uncertainty and challenges.

“Reflecting on the past year, the paramount focus for our new unity government has been to strengthen the political stability for the nation. Recognising that economic improvement and sustained foreign investment hinge on stable political conditions and consistent national policies, we understand that the correct political transitions are pivotal to achieve these goals,” he pointed out.

In the coming year, Chiew further said, that the country’s primary objective is to maintain the political stability and to establish certainty and confidence in its public policy for the next four years. 

“In 2023, we have laid down the foundation and the clear direction for future development of the nation, encompassing the transition to new energy sources, national regional development plans, industrial blueprints, energy transformation programmes and a commitment to achieving zero carbon emissions,’ he said.

These measures are designed to ensure a solid foundation for the political and economic stability of the nation.

“As we approach 2024, we look forward to work collaboratively with robust central leadership and coordinated efforts with state governments to concentrate on improving the economic conditions of our country and addressing longstanding issues.

“We anticipate tangible changes in 2024, particularly in various aspects of people’s lives while there may be transitional periods which are essential for implementing structural changes to Malaysia’s overall economic landscape,” he added.

As the representative for Miri, Chiew pledges to closely collaborate with the federal government to implement and oversees all federal policies that will benefit Mirians. 

“Over the past year, I have endeavour to contribute to the development of Miri, and in the coming year, we will continue to drive more projects and programmes to ensure that Miri also reaps the benefits of national development,” he said.

Rosey

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Rosey Yunus, is hoping to see Sarawak become more rapidly developed in 2024.

“We want to see more involvement of rural people in this development programme, for example in carbon credit trading and in algae production besides helping the locals with business start-up,” she said.

Rosey also expressed that more programmes to empower women entrepreneurship should be given strong focus in 2024, which would help to penetrate overseas market.

She also gave strong emphasis on the crucial of early childhood education.

For Long Lama community leader Penghulu Desmond Yap, both the role of the federal and state governments is equally crucial to better improve the rakyat’s wellbeing.

Yap.

“For us in Long Lama, we want to see the health care facilities upgraded to increase people’s access (of the facilities),” he told the New Sarawak Tribune.

Yap also expressed hopes that the Long Lama rural growth centre (RGC) master plan and other development projects in the area could be expedited with no delays.