Sarawak govt and MOF deliberate on NRP’s effectiveness

Abang Johari (third left) with (from left) Awang Tengah, Uggah, Masing, Dr Sim and Penguang holding a virtual meeting with Tengku Zafrul.

KUCHING, July 13: Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the Sarawak government leaders have virtually met to discuss on the National Recovery Plan (NRP) earlier today with the aim of strengthening the effectiveness of NRP.

The one-hour session was chaired by Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz who is also NRP Coordinating Minister.

Led by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg who is also president of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), other Sarawakian ministers who attend the meeting were Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar James Jemut Masing (president of Parti Rakyat Sarawak) and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; Minister of Local Government and Housing Dato Sri Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian (president of Sarawak United People’s Party); and Assistant Minister Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil, representing the president of the Progressive Democratic Party.

During the meeting, the Sarawak government has provided some input from Sarawak’s perspective towards strengthening the State’s economy by taking into account the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and its contribution to the national economy.

Among the matters presented by the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Ministers and Ministers based on their respective portfolios were the vaccination programme in Sarawak which is running smoothly, infrastructure development programmes, ICT infrastructure development as well as manufacturing industry and foreign investment which are the core sectors determining the progress of Sarawak’s economy.

Other crucial segments such as IoT-based agricultural development and an economy based on resource sustainability as well as strong border security between Sarawak and Kalimantan were also discussed as they all have profound impact on the socio-economy development on Sarawak.

Also mentioned was the implementation of NRP phases that should be adapted to suit the situation in Sarawak which is almost as big as Peninsular Malaysia. — DayakDaily

CAPTION: Abang Johari (third left) with (from left) Awang Tengah, Uggah, Masing, Sim and Penguang sat together physically during the virtual meeting.