By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 8: Sarawak’s performance figures for the first six months of this year are “promising”, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said the figures he had received up to June were encouraging, although he did not disclose the actual figures.
“What I can tell you is, the figure that I got up to June is promising,” he told reporters after the Sarawakku Sayang programme for Sarikei Division today, which was broadcast live by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS).
He then stressed the importance of continuity in Sarawak’s administration.
“What we need now is for us to have (continuity), as long as Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is in charge,” he added.
Earlier during his speech at the event, Abang Johari said Sarawak’s revenue had doubled from about RM7 billion to RM14 billion during the first phase of the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, covering 2020 to 2025.
He said the stronger financial position had enabled the State government to fund development as well as various initiatives for Sarawakians, including free tertiary education and higher allowances for community leaders and councillors.
He also announced that civil servants in Sarawak would receive a two-month bonus, despite the 2027 Sarawak Budget not having been tabled yet.
“I am announcing this early. The Budget has not even been announced yet, but I have already announced it here in Sarikei.
“Insya-Allah, two months, because I dare say there are indications that our income this year, insya-Allah, will allow us to do so,” he stated.
He also said 2026 marked the beginning of the second phase of PCDS 2030, with Sarawak now looking towards the next five years and beyond 2030.
The Premier said the State would continue shifting towards a technology-driven economy, with greater emphasis on digitalisation, advanced agriculture, satellite technology and emerging economic sectors.
For Sarikei, he said the government was looking beyond agriculture by developing tourism and improving connectivity, including plans to extend Tanjung Manis Airport so it could accommodate ATR aircraft.
He also highlighted the potential of Sarikei’s extensive mangrove areas as a future source of revenue through carbon trading, saying the State would study how the carbon stored in the mangroves could be monetised.
Abang Johari said the development agenda for Sarawak would continue beyond 2030, with infrastructure, education, technology and new economic sectors forming part of the State’s longer-term strategy.
Also present were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment and Kuala Rajang assemblyman Datuk Len Talif Salleh; and Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities of Malaysia and Sarikei MP Dato Sri Huang Tiong Sii. — DayakDaily
