Premier: Sarawak’s development aspirations supported by federal government

SIBU: The federal government is attentive to the aspirations of the people of Sarawak, who seek to experience significant progress comparable to that in Peninsular Malaysia.

Having said this, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg noted that this is crucial for achieving more balanced development across the country.

He added that the federal government has vast resources to generate substantial national revenue while opening up opportunities for other regions to also increase their revenue.

“Alhamdulillah, Sarawak recently had the opportunity to increase the state’s revenue. Thanks to the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the previous Prime Ministers who were concerned about Sarawak’s efforts to gain more revenue from its natural resources such as oil and gas.

“Therefore, I am confident that the federal government will continue to be concerned about Sarawak’s efforts to increase state revenue through initiatives like offshore carbon storage with a more open policy,” he said.

He said this in his speech at the Sarawak-level National Day Celebration Assembly, which was attended by Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, at the Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud Chancellor’s Hall at the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) here today (Aug 31).

Abang Johari said as part of the Federation, the path to creating a win-win situation for all parties is through sharing, collaboration and cooperation without denying the rights of any party.

He said that recently, Sarawak successfully hosted the Malaysia Games (SUKMA), even though it was not originally scheduled to be the host in 2024.

“However, in the spirit of cooperation within the Unity Government, Sarawak took up the challenge to be the host this year. Alhamdulillah, Sarawak emerged as the overall champion with 76 medals after a 30-year wait,” he said.

Abang Johari also expressed his gratitude to the federal government, which agreed to Sarawak’s offer to co-host the SEA Games in 2027 with an estimated cost of RM350 million out of the total RM700 million.

“I believe that by 2027, the air infrastructure, particularly Sarawak’s own airline, will have started operations, further facilitating movement to and from Sarawak.

“I also believe that by 2027, the public transportation system in Kuching, namely ART, will already be operational to ease movement around the city.

“In addition, I am confident that sports facilities will have been upgraded to international standards so that Sarawak can be a well-prepared host for the SEA Games, Insha’Allah,” he said.

Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah, Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Minister in the Premier’s Department (Native Laws and Customs) Datuk John Sikie Tayai and State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki.