Premier urges unity as Sarawak’s green economy approach gains global recognition

MUKAH (Aug 14): Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has called on the people to strengthen unity among them as Sarawak is now known to the world through its green economy approach.

He said that he was invited to give a talk on green economy in Sydney, Australia, next week, followed by an invitation from Hong Kong on the same topic.

“The world is now looking at Sarawak due to our new economic approach, which is different from others.

“We want to produce green energy, and we thank God because we have hydropower contributed by our past leaders.

“Now we use new energy such as hydrogen and solar. The latest is wave energy to generate electricity, which is still in the trial stage in Bintulu,” he said when officiating at the ‘People With Leader’ gathering here last night.

According to Abang Johari, he had previously received invitations from Poland, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Thailand due to Sarawak’s green economy approach.

“Sarawak is known around the world today, and for this reason, the people must strengthen their unity.

“I have told the leadership in Kuala Lumpur that if Sarawak is strong, Malaysia is strong. Similarly, if Sarawak prospers, Malaysia will prosper too. We have that kind of spirit,” he said.

On another matter, Abang Johari reiterated that Sarawak will co-host the Southeast Asia (SEA) Games in 2027 with Kuala Lumpur.

“It would be a shame for Malaysia if it refused to host the Sea Games. So, I told the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that for the sake of Malaysia, Sarawak will co-host the event.

“This too will uplift the standard of our sports to international level. We will co-host Sea Games 2027 with the condition that the opening ceremony must be done in Sarawak,” he said.

Earlier in his speech, Tellian assemblyman Royston Valentine conveyed the wishes of the people in Mukah for the government to continue the construction of Mukah Stadium Phase 2 and to construct low-cost housing.

He said the construction of an indoor stadium, a multi-purpose court, and a synthetic field for hockey and football at the existing site under Mukah Stadium Phase 2 was planned almost 10 years ago.

“This facility is very important to meet the needs of the people in Mukah. At the same time, it will complement Mukah’s status as a division and put it on par with other divisions such as Bintulu and Sibu.

“For housing, there is a large space at Lot 981, Block 76, and Lot Mutiara Indah 2 belonging to the Housing Development Corporation that can be developed with low-cost housing to cater for people’s needs, especially newly married couples,” he said.

Among those present were Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department Datuk Abdullah Saidol, Balingian assemblyman Yakub Arbi and Daro assemblyman Safiee Ahmad.