By Karen Bong
SIBU, Sept 16: Although much has been achieved by Sarawak as part of Malaysia in the past 57 years, it cannot be denied that Sarawak still lags in terms of development especially when compared to Peninsular Malaysia.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg thus emphasised that what is important for Sarawak is that the state must continue to take steps to steer towards more intensive development in order to become an advanced state by 2030.
“We are thankful to the federal government led by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who understands the aspirations of the people of Sarawak to use the resources of this land to develop the state.
“Petronas has given its commitment to settle the five per cent State Sales Tax (SST) (owed) to the Sarawak government and recognised the right of Sarawak to impose SST as enshrined in the Constitution and based on the Oil and Mining Ordinance, 1958,” he said during his speech at the Malaysia Day 2020 celebration at the Indoor Stadium here tonight.
The event was attended by Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Muhyiddin and Sabah Minister of Law and Native Affairs Aidi Moktar who represented the Sabah Chief Minister.
From a commercial aspect, especially to develop the petrochemical industry in Sarawak, Abang Johari shared that the Sarawak government adopted a win-win attitude because continuous confrontation will bring losses to all.
Based on this aspiration, he pointed out that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government was working hard to develop and advance Sarawak in all sectors based on the digital economy and environmental sustainability.
These sectors, he added, include commercial agriculture, manufacturing, mining, forest plantation, tourism, services, data centres and innovation, infrastructure and utilities, renewable energy, education and human capital development.
Meanwhile, the highlights of the Malaysia Day celebration this year themed ‘Malaysia Prihatin’ included the signing of a Special Malaysia Day Book and raising the Jalur Gemilang by 13 Royal Malaysia Navy officers accompanied by the national anthem ‘Negaraku’ and patriotic song ‘Keranamu Malaysia’.
The event programme also included special video presentations titled ‘The Bridge’ about the Rukun Negara, ‘Kita Malaysia’ and ‘People’s Aspiration’ as well as the ‘Malaysiaku’ song, a mini orchestra performance, and various cultural diversity and unity themed dance performances.
Taib’s wife Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib, Muhyiddin’s wife Puan Sri Norainee Abdul Rahman, and Abang Johari’s wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang were among the dignitaries present. — DayakDaily
