State exploring new avenues to boost revenue

BY NATASHA JEE & ALEXANDRA LORNA

KUCHING: The Sarawak government is actively exploring new avenues to boost state revenue as part of its ongoing efforts to transform the economy in both urban and rural areas.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the revenues generated will be reinvested in infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, water and power supply.

“We have so far spent RM20 billion on coastal roads and bridges, RM4.2 billion on water supply and RM2 billion on rural electricity.

“But we also have to upgrade our transmission line because of the volume of our power.

“Once all this is put in place, I think Sarawak is ready to transform our economy both urban and as well as rural,” he said during Standard Chartered Bank’s 100th anniversary in Sarawak and high tea event held at Sheraton Hotel here on Sunday (Aug 25).

Abang Johari, who is also Finance and New Economy Ministry added, that he is committed to enhancing the rural economy with a particular focus on food security in rural areas.

“There is a success of an experimental project in a village that traditionally produced only about one tonne of rice per hectare.

“Through collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and the use of new hybrid seeds and automation, the yield was increased to eight metric tonnes per hectare.

“In other words, we have to transform our farmers, the new breed of farmers to be equipped with knowledge and modern farming techniques,” he said.

He added in this way, it will get the people particularly the rural areas out of poverty.

“We want to equip Sarawakians with the latest knowledge and let them be players in our new economy, especially in the green economy,” he said.

Abang Johari said even though the World Bank has recognised Sarawak as a high-income state, the state’s goal is to translate that status into higher household incomes.

Earlier, he also conveyed his appreciation to Standard Chartered Bank for its contributions in the state.

“I believe Standard Chartered has contributed a lot to the business community and that makes Sarawak prosper,” he said.