Transformative projects equally vital for nation’s growth, says Chinese group’s youth chief

MIRI Airport needs urgent upgrades in compliance with the global standard of quality so as to attract more international tourist arrivals and also to boost local economy, says Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations (SFCA) Youth chief Councillor Sean Huang.

With an international status and expansion of flights capacity, these upgrades should elevate Miri’s travel connectivity, increase trade opportunities, and turn the city into a hub for international business, he added.

“Such transformative project is essential to boost business environment to attract global players,” he said in an interview with The Borneo Post on the association’s wishlist for Budget 2025.

Huang, also Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Pujut branch secretary, said the federal government, in past budgets, had been ‘overly focused’ on covering administrative expenses, without leaving much room for transformative projects.

“Overspending on unnecessary areas has hindered large-scale initiatives that could drive economic transformation,” he stressed.

Sarawak, Huang pointed out, had long faced the ‘unequal allocation distribution’ issues despite its substantial contribution to the national revenue.

“This disparity is especially glaring in the context of infrastructure development; hence, Budget 2025 should be an opportunity for the federal government to rectify this neglect, and the expansion of Miri Airport should be among its focus.”

Huang said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, also the Finance Minister should set a balanced ratio between administrative and development spending in outlining the items in the national budget so as to ensure that the key infrastructure projects would get the deserving attention.