Premier calls on Sarawakians to unite for brighter future with new economy

KUCHING (Aug 30): Sarawakians must continue staying united in moving forward together towards building a brighter future through the implementation of the state’s new economy, said the Premier.

Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government is committed to generating a sustainable economy based on sustainable resources and technology.

“Since 2017, Sarawak has taken steps to develop a digital economy followed by initiatives towards the hydrogen economy, the development of sustainable resources, and clean energy.

“Sarawak is now beginning to explore initiatives to develop the compound chip and aerospace industries in addition to efforts towards downstream resources of oil and gas,” he said in his National Day message today.

Abang Johari pointed out that the GPS government, after the Covid-19 pandemic, had continued to take bold and proactive steps with the implementation of the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

He said the main pillar of PCDS 2030 is towards making Sarawak a high-income developed region by the year 2030.

“Basically, PCDS 2030 has three main pillars, which emphasise economic prosperity, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability to transform Sarawak’s economy.

“Presently, Sarawak continues to lead new branches of the economy and become an example for other states in the country and abroad to emulate from.

“Sarawak has been able to move forward quickly in the last seven years because of the relatively stable social and political situation,” added the GPS chairman.

Touching on history, Abang Johari said Sarawak gained independence from British rule on July 22, 1963.

“Throughout the 61 years of being part of Malaysia, Sarawak continues to step forward and remain competitive in various fields to strengthen and further transform Sarawak’s economy as the world is at a crossroads to start adopting clean energy in a bid to combat climate change,” he said.

He noted that Malaysia “is a big family” that cares for the interests of all people irrespective of race and religion in line with the spirit of past leaders who had fought hard to pave the way for the formation of Malaysia.

He recalled that in 1957, the Malays, the Indians, and the Chinese joined forces to demand independence from the British governance, and in Sarawak, the Dayaks, the Chinese, and the Malays joined hands to free Sarawak from the British administration.

Given this, Abang Johari called upon the people of Sarawak to continue moving together to build a brighter future for their state as well as for Malaysia.

“With the spirit of ‘Segulai, Sejalai’, I am confident that Sarawak and Malaysia will continue to move forward as a region that is respected by the world community,” he added.