KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg stated that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government welcomes constructive criticism.
He, along with his Cabinet colleagues, assured that they would continue to strive and give their best for Sarawak and its people.
Speaking at the state-level National Day celebration in Mukah, which was graced by acting Head of State Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohammad Asfia Awang Nassar, he acknowledged that the GPS government is not flawless, just like human beings. However, he emphasised their openness to constructive criticism.
The Premier expressed confidence that the Sarawak government’s focus on strengthening the green economy and developing renewable energy will be the primary foundation of the state’s economic strength beyond 2030.
He further highlighted Sarawak’s economic progress in the past six years. This resulted in a 1.5-fold increase in income, i.e. RM12 billion, last year.
This progress was recently recognised by the World Bank, which designated Sarawak as a high-income state with a gross national income (GNI) per capita of RM61,442 or USD 13,205.
Nevertheless, the Premier acknowledged that there is room for improvement, as the household income level of Sarawakians in 2022, at RM4,978, has not yet reached the national level.
He expressed hope that the state’s encouraging economic development, with a growth rate of 6.5 percent in 2022, would provide opportunities for people to increase their income and improve the state’s household income position compared to the national median household income level of RM6,388.
