KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg said that the strength of Sarawak depended on the style of state leadership. He added, “Either the leaders are close to the people or want to be close to the people, they must listen to the people. “By listening to them, we can then plan policies that cover all the needs of all in Sarawak. That is why the state is quite unique because we merge all the demands to become one aspiration for all the people of Sarawak.”
He also said that as Islam becomes the religious pillar for the Malays, their actions must be based on the religion. “Our style of governing must be according to Islam and the media charter is the basis for us to govern the state,” said Abang Johari during the adjournment of the 7th Sarawak Malays Cultural Seminar at Pullman Hotel here yesterday.
He also stressed that the Malays must learn from history and must be fair in governing the state. “There must be unity among the Malays in facing challenges and adaptibility in this age of digital economy,” he added. Abang Johari explained that the community have no choice but to adapt their styles. “We have established Sarawak Pay. Anywhere you go, payment can be made with Sarawak Pay. “There is no more using ‘Buku 555’. The Malays must adapt to smartphones.
This is the way in the digital economy,” he said adding that they should have knowledge and no longer use the traditional way. He also believed that the Malays can adapt towards a better lifestyle by managing their finance in a proper manner. “Our children can enter university but have no fund to pay for the first year or the admission fee.
This problem is not only faced by the Malays but also the non-Malays. “I have come up with a new policy that every child born as long as they are Sarawakian, will receive the fund. If one family has three children, all three will receive until they reach the age of 18 because that is the age that they will enter the university.
“That is why I will provide this new incentive. We will allocate RM40 million a year and the details will be announced on November 5,” said the Chief Minister. He added that the incentive will be given irrespective of ethnicity and religious beliefs. Abang Johari also said that the biggest budget for Sarawak will be announced on November 5.
Meanwhile, the Resolutions of the 7th Sarawak Malay Cultural Seminar was later presented to the Chief Minister by the Deputy Chief Minister, Second Minister for Urban Development and Natural Resources and Chairman of Amanah Khairat Yayasan Budaya Melayu Sarawak (AKYBMS), Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
The three-day seminar from October 29-31 was organised by AKYBMS as a platform for Sarawak Malays to debate and voice out their opinions on the topics discussed. The panelists included the peoples’ representatives, professionals, academicians and social activists from Muslim Malay NGOs. It was participated by more than 1,000 Sarawak Malays including ethnics Vaie Segan, Kedayan and Jati Meirek.
