BY JACQUELINE DAVID
KUCHING: The Federation of Chinese Associations of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions hopes that the state government will consider setting up a special fund, like the Sarawak focused private equity (PE) fund to be the capital investor for the Small Medium Enterprises (SME) sector in the state.
Its president, Datuk Richard Wee said this economic stimulus could provide and instill corporate governance and nurture SMEs for a successful listing on the Bursa Malaysia.
“On the economic front, we hope the state will set up a fund, like a Sarawak focused PE fund, to be a catalyst for funding growth in the SME sector in the state,” he said when commenting on their aspirations and hope for the upcoming state budget.
It is believed that the upcoming state budget will be tabled during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting scheduled from Nov 11 to 20 this month.
“Project and service deliveries in all government ministries, departments, agencies and others must be able to keep up with our Premier’s vision and goals in order for the Rakyat to feel the difference, hence they must invest and develop people centric processes to achieve efficiency and productivity,” Wee stated.
One of the suggestion to eradicate poverty, he said it was important for the state government to have the statistics as a standard measurement to gauge the total number of hardcore poor.
Wee explained that from the statistics, people can see how many households, or percentage of population have been elevated from the poverty line to show the government’s annual achievements.
“As our leaders have successfully increased the state’s income, we must put a greater effort to uplift the less fortunate in our society,” he said.
He also cited for the state government to have annual grants for all major races for its traditional cultural activities.
“Apart from that, widen the social safety nets to take care of the needy and have more facilities and services for the elderly,” he said.
On the contrary, Pertubuhan Pembangunan Insan Sarawak (PPIS) president Manjeet Kaur Sidhu hopes that the upcoming state budget will be an opportunity for the state government to demonstrate its commitment for inclusive growth, equitable economic development and good social welfare.
“It is crucial that the budget prioritises sustainable development, drive local business growth, and extend robust assistance to the less fortunate people,” she said.
Manjeet expressed that Sarawak’s economic potential lies in harnessing local entrepreneurship, such as agriculture, eco-tourism, technology, and renewable energy.
“Allocate substantial resources towards grants and low-interest loans for SMEs. These businesses are the backbone of our economy, and providing them with financial and technical support can spur innovation, create job opportunities, and encourage self-sufficiency.
“Investment in digital infrastructure must be prioritised. As we advance further into a digitally-driven world, ensuring our local businesses have access to reliable, high-speed internet is essential for enabling e-commerce and tech-based startups to thrive.
“The budget should also include targeted training programmes to improve digital literacy and equip entrepreneurs with skills to be more competitive in the local and global stages,” she added.
Manjeet also called on the government to enhance healthcare fund, especially for rural areas that still face challenges in accessing quality medical services. Mobile clinics, telemedicine initiatives, and community health programmes should be bolstered to ensure that healthcare is the rights of all Sarawakians.
