By Karen Bong
KUCHING, July 22: The Sarawak Civil Service is committed to facilitating the implementation of the newly unveiled Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 and provide the necessary support to the government, private sector and ordinary citizens.
Giving this assurance, State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion believes that the civil service has the capacity and capability to implement the various initiatives, programmes and projects that have been planned.
“With this launch, the next important step is to develop the Action and Implementation Plan (AIP) to work out details of important action steps, which are required to achieve the key outcomes identified in the PCDS 2030.
“The AIP is an important exercise to provide a very definite guide for agencies, and future heads of agencies in implementing the PCDS 2030,” he said in his opening address at the launching of PCDS 2030 by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in conjunction with Sarawak Day at a hotel here today.
In the process of formulating the plan to propel Sarawak further forward, Jaul pointed out the Sarawak Economic Action Council (Seac) led by Abang Johari, had engaged and collaborated with more than 1,000 stakeholders from 250 organisations, both public and private sectors, involving 20,000 man hours.
“We are now at a very testing time due to the Covid-19 pandemic which has caused sufferings across the globe. Workers are displaced, mobility of people is severely restricted, while businesses are seriously interrupted and global and national economies are suffering from contraction and recessionary pressure.
“It is these trying circumstances that prompted the Chief Minister to deviate from the normal planning approach and come up with bright and visionary ideas of formulating a robust strategic plan, to enable Sarawak to emerge strong post-Covid-19 pandemic,” Jaul said.
With the strategic direction in place, Jaul is optimistic that Sarawak and her people will witness and experience robust development that will elevate the socio-economic well-being of the people with more access to economic opportunities.
“Everything we do during and post-crisis must be with a strong focus on building a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable economy and society which are more resilient in the face of pandemic, climate change, and the many other global challenges Sarawak may face,” he added.
Jaul expressed gratitude to the working committee which he chaired, composed of professionals from various government agencies, private sector entities, business federations and associations, experts as well as academia and individuals who have come together and contributed to the formulation of the plan.
All this, he added, was made possible through the invaluable contribution, hard work and dedication of the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of Sarawak as well as the consulting team from PricewaterhouseCoopers for facilitating the various discussions and putting together this crucial document. — DayakDaily
