High income status proves policies on right track

KUCHING: Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud wants Sarawak’s high income status, with a gross national income (GNI) per capita of more than RM61,442 to be translated into high household incomes.

He said Sarawak has reached the ranks of a high-income state in July this year according to the World Bank data, which is a new milestone for Sarawak.

“This proves that the policies that have been put in place have achieved its objectives (in heading toward a high income economy).

“However, let us not rest on our laurels as this must be translated to real income for our people.

“It is our hope that we will achieve a high income economy by 2030,” he said in his 2024 New Year Message here today.

Taib was optimistic that Sarawak can achieve the target of becoming a high income state through the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which focuses on manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, forestry and mining through enablers such as digital transformation, innovation, education as well as renewable and green energy.

He said the future of Sarawak lies in the degree of the people’s efficiency and continuous commitment to the state as a preferred investment destination.

“As such, every Sarawakian has an important role to play to ensure that Sarawak will achieve greater progress and prosperity towards the year 2030 and beyond.

“All of us must continue to be committed and determined to work harder towards achieving the development goals.

“The commitment from all levels of society will give us the strength to face the challenges ahead,” he said.

In this regard, he said, it is important for Sarawak to accelerate the economic growth and address the development gap with the priority to improve the livelihood of the people in rural areas.

Taib said the task of developing Sarawak does not rest with the government alone as the private sector, comprising big and small business enterprises, have to take this challenge and work together with the Sarawak government to achieve the development agenda for common benefits.

“We can take great pride that Sarawak under the able leadership of our Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has been able to achieve the present level of development as a result of the unity and harmonious relationship among the people and to manage the resources effectively despite facing many challenges along the way.

“And this year too, we are celebrating 60 years of Merdeka. And I am glad that Sarawakians have acquired the spirit of nationalism, which has enabled them to cooperate and work together in serving the interests of our beloved state and country,” he said.

Taib pointed out that this has become the basis to strengthen the unity and solidarity of the people without them realising that they are moving closer together to become more united and meaningful members of Malaysian society.

This truly manifested the fact that the people during the last 60 years have mutual respect for each other and share the common desire to live in peace and harmony among them.

Sarawak, he said, has rightly earned a reputation as a peaceful state where people live in peace and harmony in spite of differences in ethnicity and religion.

The state has truly embraced cultural diversity, unity and harmony, which has enabled the people to focus their time and energy towards development; as conscientious efforts must be made to push Sarawak to a higher level of development.

“While we can be happy with our achievement, we must not rest on our laurels. Instead, we must strive to do better and benchmark ourselves against the best in the world,” he added.

During the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting held in November, Abang Johari announced the biggest budget in the state’s history amounting to RM12.4 billion for 2024, which is an increase of 18 per cent against 2023 budget of RM10.8 billion.

With a projected surplus of RM386 million, this was indeed another great achievement for Sarawak.

“As such, we hope that Sarawak will continue to prosper in the years to come.

“And last but now least, my family and I would like to wish all Sarawakians a happy and prosperous New Year 2024,” he said.