KUCHING, May 14: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg says Malaysia’s economy must be reformed towards the “new economy” in order to match development in neighbouring countries.
Abang Johari highlighted that Malaysia’s economy had to be based on sustainability and renewables if the country were to compete confidently with its neighbours.
He emphasised this in his address at the one-day Unity Government National Convention at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur in Kuala Lumpur today.
He also pointed out that the unity government’s political leaders must look at the future challenges that the country must face, especially competition among neighbours in the Asean region.
“Indonesia is moving its capital to Nusantara in Kalimantan. Are we going to just look and do nothing?” the Premier asked.
In this context, he expressed thanks to Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim for giving a substantial allocation to Sarawak for development along the border with Indonesia.
Furthermore, the Premier also expressed hope that with the allocation, facilities like the Tebedu CIQ could be upgraded to match the redevelopment at Entikong CIQ on the Kalimantan side.
Abang Johari, who is also Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman, reaffirmed the commitment of the Sarawak GPS government to support the unity government under Anwar’s leadership.
From merely confining its struggle to Sarawak initially, he said, GPS was well aware of the need for a strong national government to spur national development.
This was the reason that the Sarawak GPS government had decided to be part of the unity government as decreed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, the Premier further said.
Later, Anwar delivered his address to thousands of delegates at the inaugural convention of the political parties under the umbrella of the unity government.
He praised the Sarawak GPS government under the Premier’s leadership for being far ahead than other states in the development that was based on new technology.
The Prime Minister’s address was preceded by the address by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who is th United Malays National Organisation (Umno) president.
Earlier, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) president Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor who is also Sabah Chief Minister, Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, and Democratic Action Party (DAP) secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook also spoke. — DayakDaily
