Rep touts Sarawak as ideal retirement haven, credits leadership and social investment

KUCHING (Jan 5): Sarawak’s reputation position as one of the best places to retire is the result of decades of strong and consistent leadership, said Batu Kitang assemblyman Dato Lo Khere Chiang.

He credited the state’s success to leaders who have effectively sourced revenue and reinvested it into development projects that directly improve residents’ lives.

“We had the late chief minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, and now Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who is doing a very good job,” he said.

“The state has good revenue, and Abang Johari is reinvesting it in roads, bridges and infrastructure.

“People in the interior will have more comfortable living, especially with the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) coming,” he added.

He also highlighted investments in affordable housing schemes, alongside the state’s lowest electricity and water tariffs and assessment rates.

On education, Lo pointed to the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) as a solution to long-standing parental concerns.

“We used to worry about our children not having tertiary education. Some children want to take the courses they want to learn, but they are unable to do so,” he said.

Quoting Abang Johari, he said students who were unable to secure their preferred courses in the Peninsula could return to Sarawak to pursue their studies.

“Education is the key to nation building,” he emphasised, citing Singapore’s economic success.

“Singapore has no oil, gas or timber, but they are one of the strongest economies in the world today because of education and technology.

“Sarawak is no different – in fact – we are even better, given the intelligence of our people and our resources. With all these in place, we will see our people with higher incomes.

“While we work for a salary, we pay less for education, assessment, housing and public transport. We also enjoy better security,” he remarked.
“Hence, this is why our state is the best place to retire. Everything is reduced and the stress level is also reduced.”

He said this to reporters after launching a homestay training programme at the Special Needs Society Kuching on Sunday.

The event highlighted how non-governmental organisations (NGOs) can collaborate with state government support.

“The wider society is able to take care of one another because we have the time and resources, with the state government contributing significantly from its revenue to areas like this.

“This helps reduce the burden on the people and increases their happiness,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, Special Needs Society Kuching president Aimy Voon, 47, said the new homestay training programme involved the special needs community and thanked the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Batu Kitang for its full spponsorship.

“The homestay is located above our premises, where we train participants in housekeeping to expose them to a working environment,” she explained.

“We also run other activities, including charity initiatives through the sale of hydroponic vegetables, secondhand clothes, and handmade crafts.”

According to her, the programme currently involves 14 students, including slow learners and those with Down syndrome and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

“Most of them are still able to take care of themselves,” Voon added.