KUCHING, July 22: The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government pouring RM63 billion into infrastructure development under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) for the next five years is the right approach to eradicate poverty before it can propel Sarawak into a developed and advanced State towards 2030.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing emphasised this in lauding the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 which was unveiled by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in conjunction with Sarawak Day today.
“Unless and until Sarawak develops its infrastructure and enables accessibility to all regions in Sarawak, we will not be able to eradicate poverty in this State.
“When our infrastructure development like the coastal highway, second trunk road, bridges and Pan Borneo Highway are completed, Sarawak will be ready to move forward,” he said in a statement today.
Masing, who is also Minister of Infrastructure and Ports Development, pointed out that China is a classical example in how the country has taken key steps to uproot poverty especially in rural areas by intensifying efforts and spending billions in building basic infrastructure to connect the entirety of China.
“Now China is the second richest nation in the world which was once a poverty-stricken country in the 1950s.
“The GPS government led by Abang Johari is doing things right to eradicate poverty in Sarawak.
“Sarawakians must know that change for the sake of changing is not the best for this country,” he added.
Earlier today, Abang Johari in unveiling the latest Sarawak post-Covid-19 exit plan said that the Sarawak government has committed an estimated RM63 billion to implement the PCDS 2030 under the 12MP, whereby RM30 billion will come from direct development expenditure and RM33 billion from alternative funding.
The first phase of the PCDS 2030 will be implemented under the 12MP from 2021 to 2025 and the target under the 12MP and PCDS 2021-2030 is to double the size of the economy with an average growth of six to eight per cent per annum.
With basic infrastructure in place by 2025, he added that this will provide the foundation for Sarawak to leapfrog into the second phase of PCDS 2030 development which is driven by talent, skills and innovation.
The PCDS 2020 highlights seven strategic thrusts to accelerate economic growth by transforming the economic structure to become more competitive, improving ease of doing business, spending on areas that yield the most economic, social and environmental impacts, optimising use of assets and human capital, accelerating digital adoption and execution, driving economic and social benefits for all Sarawakians and balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.
The strategic plans are anchored by six economic sectors as the main engines of growth namely manufacturing, commercial agriculture, tourism, forestry, mining and social services which is reinforced by seven enablers of digital transformation, innovation, basic infrastructure, transport, utilities, renewable energy as well as education and human capital development. — DayakDaily
