MUKAH, Oct 1: The Sarawak government has identified modern farming, tourism and services, infrastructure and education as important sectors to be developed through the digital economy under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) which covers the period 2021 to 2025.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg announced this at the ‘Leaders with People’ gathering at the Civic Centre here tonight, which was held in conjunction with the Development Coordination Meeting tomorrow (Oct 2).
“The year 2019 is the final year towards the end of the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) in year 2020. The year 2021 will mark the beginning of 12MP,” he said.
For Sarawak, he pointed out that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government has already plans outlined for the next five years leading up to 2025 in order to ensure Sarawak becomes the most advanced state in Malaysia by 2030.
“First, the state government will emphasise on modern farming with infrastructure and second would be tourism and services. More allocation will be given to develop the tourism sector.
“Third is infrastructure in which we will continue to build roads, water supply and bridges. The fourth is education in terms of training which we will continue to give focus,” he added.
Abang Johari emphasised that these were important sectors under the 12MP which will be developed through the digital economy.
He hoped by then, Sarawak will have access to 5G wireless networks where Internet connectivity would not be a problem.
“These are the sectors we will give emphasise including telecommunication infrastructure in 12MP. This (new policies) is announced for the first time in Mukah. I chose Mukah because it is the central region, while I continue the policies of past leaders but with new approaches,” he said.
Stressing that the GPS government will not lie to its people, he said: “There are people who have criticised and are unconvinced about the big projects I have announced, asking if the state government has the funds.
“If the state government does not have the funds, I would not dare to make announcements. The GPS (government) will not tell such lies,” he added.
Abang Johari also called on all Sarawakians to safeguard the state’s unity and to defend and protect Sarawak.
He emphasised that Sarawak is the only state with a Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) because the state government is committed to taking care of the needs and development of other religions. Thus, he pledged to seek more funds for Unifor and Baitulmal.
“As long as our state is peaceful and we have good policies, I believe (by) 2030 Sarawak will become the most developed state in Malaysia,” he added.
Highlighting the political turmoil on the other side (Peninsular Malaysia), he hoped the negative influences would not be brought over to Sarawak.
“The Bumiputera there are broken (sic) into five parts — Bersatu (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia), Amanah (Parti Amanah Negara), Pas (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia), PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) and Umno (United Malays National Organisation). When divided, who will benefit?,” he urged all to ponder.
“So we in Sarawak must safeguard our unity and protect Sarawak the best we can for Sarawakian children,” he reiterated.
Earlier, Abang Johari was happy to note that all projects implemented and proposed plans were progressing well in Mukah.
He disclosed that tomorrow’s meeting will dive into the details of the implemented projects as well as other proposals planned to ensure balanced development for Mukah.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hazmah and Balingian assemblyman Yussibnosh Balo were among those present. — DayakDaily
