By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 19: Sarawak, under the leadership of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), is on track to surpass all other states in Malaysia in terms of economic development by 2030, driven by strong political stability, strategic investments, massive infrastructure projects and prudent financial management, political pundit Dato Peter Minos said.
Looking ahead to the next five years, Minos expressed confidence that Sarawak would emerge as a highly advanced and progressive State by the end of the decade.
“In five years’ time, by the way Sarawak is now being run and the many things done and achieved thus far, Sarawak will be pretty advanced and progressive by 2030. That I’m certain of,” he said in a statement today.
Minos attributed much of the State’s anticipated success to the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and the growing support for GPS.
He said more Sarawakians are expected to gravitate towards GPS, resulting in greater political unity and cohesion, which in turn would allow the government to focus more effectively on economic and social development.
“How Premier Abang Johari has led GPS and Sarawak has been very impressive. Greater political unity means more focus on economic and social matters. Unity builds and disunity destroys,” he said.
While acknowledging that certain quarters may attempt to undermine Sarawak’s unity out of jealousy or ill intent, Minos said such efforts would have little impact as long as the majority of Sarawakians continue to support GPS.
“There is bound to be some elements who will try to disturb Sarawak’s unity and solidarity, but they will not really matter so long as the vast majority, or 75 per cent, are with GPS,” he said.
On the economic front, Minos said Sarawak has already established a solid foundation for sustained growth through major infrastructure and strategic investments.
He pointed to projects and assets such as the Coastal Road Network, major bridges along the Pan Borneo Highway, the acquisition of Bintulu Port, AirBorneo, the State’s substantial stake in Affin Bank, Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS), the Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS), Bakun Dam, as well as the planned deep-sea port and new international airport at Tanjung Embang in Asajaya.
“These and many other projects have created a solid foundation for a really steady economic take-off,” he said.
Minos also praised the Sarawak government’s financial management, noting that the State’s annual budget of approximately RM12 billion is the largest among Malaysian states.
According to him, the sizeable budget has enabled the implementation of numerous development projects across both urban and rural areas, bringing tangible benefits to the people.
He singled out the State’s free tertiary education initiative as one of the most significant investments in Sarawak’s future.
“The one thing that is truly appreciated by the people is the free tertiary education by the Sarawak government. This will build up skills, talents and expertise for Sarawak in the future,” he said.
He stressed that education and skilled human capital are more important to long-term development than natural resources alone.
Minos said he envisions Sarawak becoming a developed province by 2030, with higher incomes enjoyed by both urban and rural communities.
“By 2030, I can see that it will beat all other states in Malaysia in economic development,” he said.
Looking beyond 2030, he expressed hope that future generations of leaders would continue the momentum established by the current administration.
“Hopefully, new top leaders in Sarawak in 2030 and beyond will be as good or even better than the present ones to sustain Sarawak’s progress and development, and only time will tell,” he added. — DayakDaily
