By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, July 27: The Orang Ulu community will pledge their full support for the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) State government under the leadership of Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg during the 12th State Election (PRN12).
Mulu assemblyman Dato Gerawat Gala said Abang Johari has supported and inspired the Orang Ulu community to rise up and actively participate in the State’s mainstream development.
“The setting up of URDA (Upper Rajang Development Agency), HDA (Highland Development Agency) and NRDA (Northern Region Development Agency) as special purpose agencies with a total allocation of RM4.5 billion over and on top of the ordinary development allocation in order to accelerate the development of basic infrastructure in the rural areas, which covers our Orang Ulu heartland is a very clear demonstration of Yang Amat Berhormat YAB’s Ketua Menteri’s resolve and sincerity to develop our rural communities as part of YAB’s goal to make Sarawak a fully developed State by 2030.
“My fellow Orang Ulu assemblymen will continue to stand committed together with our other Orang Ulu leaders to rally our Orang Ulu community in firm support of Datuk Patinggi (Abang Johari Tun Openg) to continue to lead as Chief Minister of Sarawak for greater stability, socio-economic progress and a prosperous future for the people of Sarawak.
“We as a community pledge our full support to YAB Datuk Patinggi in the next State election and for YAB to continue to lead our beloved State of Sarawak towards the successful achievement of our goal to be a fully developed State by 2030,” he said in his speech prior to the launching of the Orang Ulu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OUCCI) here today.
Meanwhile, OUCCI, which is the latest business chamber in Sarawak, was launched by Abang Johari at a hotel here today.
Among those present during the launching were OUCCI president Datuk Mutang Tagal, OUCCI vice president Datuk Nelson Balang Rining, Minister for Local Government and Housing Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Utilities Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi, Assistant Minister of International Trade, Industry Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Naroden Majais, Liwan and Dennis.
Gerawat added due to the the educational opportunities afforded to the Orang Ulu by the government coupled with good policies, a fair number in the Orang Ulu generation had the opportunity to prove themselves as capable and successful corporate leaders.
He cited the examples of Datuk Seri Idris Jala, who was former Malaysia Airlines chief executive officer (CEO), Datuk Isaac Lugun, who was Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad’s group CEO, Datuk Mohamad Medan Maya who was CEO of Malaysia LNG and currently CEO of Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad and Roland Bala who is the CEO and managing director of Heineken Malaysia Berhad.
Among the invited guests at the OUCCI launching, Gerawat noted that there were a number successful Orang Ulu professionals, senior government servants and business owners who are actively involved in a whole range of business from construction, oil and gas, services sector, agriculture, information technology (IT), tourism and cottage industry and so forth.
He hoped that some of the Orang Ulu companies would go for public listing on Bursa Malaysia or expand into overseas markets in the future.
On the launching of OUCCI, he hoped the chamber could provide information, networking opportunities and mentoring to the Orang Ulu business community.
Gerawat who is also one of the OUCCI advisors said the chamber will serve as a bridge for its members to hold dialogue with policy makers such as the government and government agencies for the benefit of its members.
This, he believed, will enable the members of the chamber to grow and contribute towards the economic prosperity of the State and nation. — DayakDaily
