KUCHING, July 2: Sarawak has long expected the rise in living costs and had outlined its own approach to cushion such impact through the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
Chief Political Secretary to the Premier, Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, said the federal government is taking various approaches to resolving the price hike of essential items, but the Sarawak government have long deliberated the impacts of Covid-19.
“A lot has been done to ensure that household income can be increased and that the community can feel the benefits of the local economy.
“This is to ensure the rakyat can afford essential items and that those needing help are getting due assistance. We have done this,” he said when met by reporters after officiating at a gotong-royong programme at Taman Won, Matang here today.
Fazzrudin, who is Tupong assemblyman, said while everyone is feeling the pinch due to the price hike on essential items, the State government, through its leaders, will continue to protect the welfare of all Sarawakians.
“While we will not see the impact of this strategy (PCDS) immediately, we have a plan — actions have been taken. Sarawak is the only one with this kind of strategy to bounce back from Covid-19,” he said.
On the role of Sarawakians in realising the strategy, he said the people need to be prepared to step up when needed, especially in implementing government policies through PCDS.
“We want to achieve annual growth of six to eight per cent (per annum). This means the government is spending to stimulate the economy, such as on development projects.
“That being said, the industry must be ready, and they will look for skilled professionals among Sarawakians. We need to equip ourselves with the necessary skills when called upon,” he said. — DayakDaily
