KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg expects Sarawak to lead the way in Industrial Revolution (IR) 5.0.
He said it is crucial to transform the state into an innovative and tech-driven economy to achieve its status as the nation’s industrialised economy.
He also said Sarawak aims to double its gross domestic product (GDP) from RM136 billion in 2019 to RM282 billion in 2030 and at the same time create an additional 195,000 job opportunities.
“The task is now to ensure the state’s annual growth rate is at least eight per cent over the next seven years which will be a quantum leap from the current growth rate of around three to four per cent.
“I am optimistic that we are on the right track as our GDP per capita has increased from RM55,931 in 2020 to RM65,971 in 2021. This number surpasses the national GDP per capita which is currently at RM47,439,” he said when officiating at the MBOT Borneo Symposium 2023 opening ceremony today at the Borneo Cultures Museum Auditorium here.
Through various science and technology related projects introduced under his administration, Abang Johari said these will give a significant impact to the state which will eventually improve the livelihood of the people.
Among the initiatives taken by the state government to spur the digital economy are establishing Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) whose roles are in charge of multimedia and communication affairs and activities.
“Besides that, my administration has spearheaded various initiatives on digital economy ambitions through public-private partnerships and agency led strategies such as the Centre of Technical Excellence Digital Academy in collaboration with Huawei, Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Bumiputera Sarawak (TEGAS) Digital Village, setting up Digital Economy Labs across districts and the SALURAN initiative for internet connectivity among others.
“The state government has also digitised its services where all affairs with the state government can be done through the Sarawak Gov app such as municipalities and scholarships for Sarawakians. Moreover, it is all integrated into one account under Sarawak ID which acts as Sarawakians’ online identity,” he said.
By having all this state digitalisation in place, Abang Johari hoped that it will increase the household income from the current RM5,000 to RM16,000 by 2030.
