By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Dec 2: Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian hopes the unity government can survive the next five years because stability is crucial for Sarawak to develop and progress as planned to realise its 2030 vision of becoming an advanced and high-income State.
The unity government, Dr Sim emphasised, marked a new dawn for Malaysia 59 years after the country’s formation.
“The last GE15 (15th General Election) has shown that people in Peninsular Malaysia are unhappy after 59 years. Malaysia is divided and polarised now.
“I hope our new Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, will be successful because, for the first time in Malaysia’s history, we have a unity government,” he told the press after officiating the launching of a new school block of SJK Chung Hua Batu 35 located along Serian-Kuching Road today.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, hopes for sustainable stability so that Sarawak can focus on implementing the necessary development to steer Sarawak towards an advanced and high-income State and create a happy ‘home’ for all Sarawakians.
“We want to create a happy home for Sarawakians, especially those who are unhappy living outside of Sarawak, including in Peninsular Malaysia so that they can come back where there will be many opportunities for them.
“By 2030, most infrastructure will be completed, so the next phase of Sarawak’s development will be focused on pushing for the high-value digital economy, which will require a large pool of talents and highly skilled people who can do coding and not only play with their smartphones.
“For example, when Sarawak’s Petchem (petrochemical) plant is completed, we will require at least 1,500 chemical engineers, so we must start now to nurture the local talents for the jobs. The opportunities in the new economy involving hydrogen and carbon capture and storage will not wait for you once missed,” he stressed.
The dream for 2030, Dr Sim added, is to make sure Sarawak becomes a prosperous, inclusive and harmonious State where everyone can enjoy wealth and prosperity in Sarawak.
Semuja assemblyman John Ilus, Association of the Boards of Management of Aided Chinese Primary Schools Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions chairman Datuk Jonathan Chai, organising committee chairman Penghulu Philip Lee, community leaders and parents were among those present. — DayakDaily
