By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, May 23: The state government is using a holistic approach implementing both short and long-term strategic measures to steer Sarawak’s economy back on steady growth path post Covid-19.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in his Hari Raya Aidilfitri greetings said the state government is working hard to ensure the state’s economy will grow in the long run while rolling out short term measures to assist Sarawakians.
“Thus, the three packages of Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) amounting RM2.6 billion were rolled out to assist them in reducing the financial burden and relieving the cost of living during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.
“As a caring government, Sarawak has implemented the BKSS 1.0, 2.0 and 3.O programmes to reduce the financial burden of the people, traders, businesses and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to overcome the challenges following the MCO.
“It cannot be denied that some quarters have lost their jobs or businesses have to be closed down when all sectors of the economy in Sarawak have to be halted during the three phases of MCO.
“The BKSS programmes amounted to RM2.6 billion was a short term measure to assist the people, businesses and SMEs to overcome the difficulties they faced during MCO.
“Almost all Sarawakians ranging from 21 years and above have and will benefit from the financial assistance whilst the Sarawak government is working hard to be inclusive of all levels of the society for their benefit.
“As a government which looks into the long term impact of Covid-19 to the state economy as well, a long term economic plan was formulated to ensure Sarawak’s economy will continue to grow steadily towards 2030,” Abang Johari, who is Finance and Economic Planning Minister, said in his Hari Raya message to Sarawakians.
He asserted that the state government has recently unveiled a long term strategy which concentrated on digital economy and environmental sustainability to jump start the economy post Covid-19.
Elaborating further, Abang Johari added those include focuses on nine sectors of the economy for instance commercial agriculture, manufacturing, mining, industrial forest plantation, tourism, basic infrastructure, services, data centre and innovations and renewable energy.
He disclosed a committee, Sarawak Economic Action Council (SEAC) was established to obtain feedback from various parties for stakeholders’ interest.
He hoped the inputs received which would be channelled to SEAC and subsequently refined by the state government to serve as roadmap to develop and strengthen the economic growth of Sarawak for the long-term.
“Additionally, Abang Johari disclosed that the state government has also provided food and essential items to the people living in the rural and remote areas during MCO.
Besides, he said the state government has distributed two million pieces of face masks for free to all households throughout Sarawak.
Abang Johari emphasised that the state government has also provided frontline healthcare workers with RM10 million worth of personal protection equipments (PPE) to assist them in battling Covid-19 in Sarawak.
To conclude, Abang Johari and wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang sincerely wish all Muslims in Sarawak ‘Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Maaf Zahir dan Batin’. – DayakDaily
