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BINTULU: In conjunction with the 2024 Sarawak Day celebration, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan delivered a keynote address at a town hall session, outlining Sarawak’s historical context, development initiatives, and future aspirations.
The event, held at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Bintulu Campus today (July 22), was attended by over 1000 attendees including Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, ministers, deputy ministers as well as government officials, grassroot leaders, and students in the constituency.
During his speech, Awang Tengah emphasised the significance of Sarawak’s self-governance and its status as an equal partner in the formation of Malaysia.
He highlighted the critical role of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report in shaping the state’s identity and rights.
“We are holding this town hall in conjunction with Sarawak Day. This date is significant as it marks the establishment of our own government, self-governance, and the formation of the first cabinet led by Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan.
“We celebrate this occasion to honour the struggles of our leaders. We must be grateful for the efforts of our past leaders. This is the time for us to invite our entire community, especially the younger generation, to continue our struggle by understanding the importance of MA63 and the IGC Report. It is essential for us to grasp this knowledge,” he said.
The International Trade, Industry and Investment Minister also acknowledged the federal government’s support in amending the Federal Constitution to further solidify Sarawak’s equal partnership status and recognize the importance of MA63.
“Without MA63 and the IGC Report, the very existence of Malaysia as a nation might not have been possible,” he added.
Reflecting on the post-independence challenges, he discussed the threats of communism, political instability, and the declaration of a state of emergency in 1966.
He also alluded to the peace agreements established with former communist members in 1973, which he said had played a crucial role in stabilising the region.
Additionally, he traced Sarawak’s economic development, from its reliance on agriculture and commodities in the 1960s to its transition towards manufacturing and industrial sectors.
“During the era of Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, he emphasised the ‘Politics of Development’ and the ‘New Reality,’ introducing the concept of the ‘Confluence of Rivers’ – COME, which stands for Charge, Opportunity, Mobility, and Equality.
“Under Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, he declared July 22 as a public holiday for Sarawak, continuing policies focused on rural development that are people-centric.
“This included the elimination of tolls, abolishing land taxes for agriculture and housing, and reducing utility costs, alongside the implementation of the Pan Borneo Highway without tolls.
“He also stressed that we must uphold our rights and interests as enshrined in MA63. As he famously stated, ‘If there is oil in Malaya, I do not care; but if it is in Sarawak, I care.’
“He said we cannot be mere bystanders; we must ensure meaningful participation in the oil and gas sector, with contracts valued from RM2.1 billion as a baseline to RM5.6 billion,” said Awang Tengah.
On the same note, he emphasised the state’s commitment to sustainable development, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050 and ensuring that 60 percent of Sarawak’s land remains under forest cover under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He noted that under Premier Abang Johari’s leadership, various initiatives and efforts have been implemented, focusing on infrastructure development, education, attracting investments, advancing the mineral and agricultural sectors, promoting tourism, and enhancing human resource development.
The Deputy Premier also outlined the state government’s strategic initiatives, including the Post-COVID Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), revenue re-engineering through sales tax on oil and gas products, and the establishment of the Special Action Council for MA63.
He also pointed out the state’s focus on digital economy, green economy, and renewable energy, with a target of achieving 10,000 MW of renewable energy by 2030.
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