By Ling Hui
KUCHING, Sept 30: With a good foundation laid, Sarawak may one day be as good as, or perhaps even better than Singapore, says the Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said Sarawak’s strengths lie in its energy and land resources, which Singapore seriously lacks.
Regarding talent, which Singapore excels in, Abang Johari believed local talents in Sarawak could be trained.
“In other words, we have a good ecosystem to move forward.
“And I do not know, beyond my time maybe, we can be as good as Singapore, or better than Singapore, when we have the foundation laid,” he said.
Policy-wise, Abang Johari expressed his confidence in Sarawak, especially after meeting some economic experts in Malaysia earlier today interested in Sarawak’s economic policies.
“I was with the so-called Malaysia’s economic experts from MIER (Malaysian Institute of Economic Research). They are attracted to our policies (in Sarawak).
“That means our policies are not bad, perhaps better than theirs. So, I share with them our target to achieve six to eight per cent GDP (gross domestic product) growth (by 2030).
“It is rather ambitious, but believe me, it can be done,” he said when speaking at the 2022 Sheda Property Expo opening ceremony at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari assured that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)-led Sarawak government will strive to increase Sarawak’s revenue to develop basic infrastructure.
He said the Sarawak government had spent RM12 billion of its own reserve to build the coastal road network to provide access to Sarawak coastal areas.
“Don’t ask me where I got the money. But that is my job, Dr Sim’s job, and GPS’ job to get the money.
“That’s my job. What I do is I deliver the basic infrastructure and framework so that our economy will be moving forward toward 2030,” he added.
Also present at the event were Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government permanent-secretary Datu Antonio Kahti Galis, Sarawak Housing and Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda) president Augustine Wong, and Sheda Property Expo organising chairman Ir John Yong Lock Ping. — DayakDaily
