KUCHING: Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has urged Sarawakians, regardless of race and religion, to continue to remain united in the state’s pursuit of earning developed status by 2030.
Using previous leaders as an example, the Chief Minister said they had joined forces to unite the Federation of Malaya, Sarawak and Sabah under one sovereign entity – Malaysia.
“The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government under my leadership has taken various steps to ensure that the state’s economy is well-prepared for the journey towards 2030.
“We are spending, and will be spending, billions of ringgit to build the physical infrastructure, Internet, electricity and water supply infrastructures as these are prerequisite for the development of an advanced economy.
“I envisage that by 2025, we will be able to complete the construction of our major infrastructure projects that will provide greater connectivity and enhance the enabling factors conducive for the growth of industries, including agro-industries,” he said at the state-level National Day 2021 celebration on Tuesday night.
Abang Johari added that talent development was also vital to Sarawak’s development.
“The presence of natural resources alone is not enough to propel the economy.
“Our most important asset is our people, especially our youths, who should be equipped with the right knowledge, skills and training.”
Despite education and training being a federal matter, he said Sarawak took it upon itself to develop its education and training infrastructure with Sarawak Foundation playing a major role.
He added that Swinburne University of Technology, Curtin University, University College of Technology (UCTS), iCATS College University, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Centre of Technical Excellence (Centexs), and Sarawak Skills Development Institute (PPKS) had all been set up to spearhead talent and skills development.
“We are also building five international schools that will use the Cambridge syllabus in order to give more opportunities to our brightest students, particularly rural students.
“We cannot just sit by and leave our education and training entirely to the federal government for the simple reason that one size does not fit all.”
However, he said the Sarawak government was grateful to the federal government for according university status to UCTS and iCATS recently and the approval to build a training hospital at Unimas.
“I sincerely hope the federal government, through its Education and Higher Education Ministries, continues to be receptive to the educational and training needs of Sarawak as part of our overall development.”
