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By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Aug 31: In spite of the World Bank’s acknowledgment of Sarawak as a high-income region, it remains imperative to elevate the household income of its residents, which currently is at RM4,978, to be on par with the national median household income of RM6,388.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that Sarawak cannot be fully satisfied with the World Bank’s recognition—an achievement seven years ahead of the 2030 target—given the household income of RM4,978 in 2022 has yet to match the national level.
“I am optimistic that Sarawak’s robust economic growth of 6.5 per cent in 2022 provides our people with the prospect and opportunity to increase their earnings and thereby raise their household income to the national median of RM6,388.
“I am very confident that Sarawak’s focus under the GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) government towards empowering the green economy and renewable energy development will undoubtedly underpin the State’s economic vigour not only until 2030 but beyond,” he affirmed.
He disclosed this during his address at the Sarawak-Level National Day celebration in 2023, hosted at the Mukah Politeknik’s multipurpose hall and broadcasted by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) on social media today.
Abang Johari noted that Sarawak’s economic progress over the past six years is palpable, with the region’s income swelling by one-and-a-half times to RM12 billion last year.
He attributed this success to the stable and principled governance of GPS, which has steered Sarawak’s economic trajectory, particularly via the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
Since 2017, substantial investments by the Sarawak government have been channelled into diverse sectors. These encompass digital, urban, and rural infrastructure, human resources, education, renewable energy generation, engagement in the oil and gas sector, and explorations into emerging domains like the green and hydrogen economy, as well as ventures into carbon capture, storage, and trading.
“All these are aimed towards bolstering Sarawak’s economy to foster accelerated growth to a high level so that the State’s revenue increases and the people can get jobs with decent wages.
“In addition, continuous efforts are also being made to attract foreign investment in energy-intensive industries and the downstream oil and gas industry such as in Samalaju and Tanjung Kidurong, Bintulu,” he added.
The significant celebration was graced by the presence of acting Head of State Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar and wife Puan Sri Dato Fatimah Mohd Iskandar.
The event also featured the raising of Jalur Gemilang by the Royal Malaysian Navy accompanied by the rendition of Negaraku by the police band.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah and Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki were among the dignitaries present. — DayakDaily
