KUCHING: The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government will continuing adopting initiatives that will ensure Sarawak keeps abreast of current world developments.
Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said among the efforts were the passing of the Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2022 in the State Legislative Assembly last year, giving Sarawak greater control over its airspace, storing and retention of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses, and reducing carbon emissions overall.
Meanwhile, the Forests (Amendment) Bill 2022 was unanimously passed to implement sustainable and responsible forest management and maintain the richness of the state’s tropical rainforests, promote eco-tourism in Sarawak, and improve the state’s advantage as an investment destination.
To forge on with this trend and spur the economic momentum with an enterprising spirit, Tiong said the GPS government led by Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg clearly recognised the heavy responsibility and commitment to uplift the people’s wellbeing.
“At the same time, we must break barriers to innovative thinking and continue to launch various strategic development initiatives with foresight,” he said.
“This is an era of new hope and challenges,” the Bintulu MP said today in his Sarawak Day 2023 message.
Tiong, who is also the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, said after 60 years of independence, Sarawak has grown into a peaceful and fertile land on the back of generations of development and growth.
To commemorate this milestone, the Sarawak government has organised and held a series of nine mega-celebrations themed ‘Sarawak Maju Makmur’ from May 28 to July 22.
These events include the ‘Kembara Sarawak Merdeka’ convoy traversing across all 12 divisions, a digital exhibition on 60 years of independence, ‘Majlis Kesyukuran Perdana’, an assembly and boat and street parades, and presentation of commemorative medals, as well as a state banquet, public concerts, and fireworks display.
“All these are to remind us of our national and cultural identity, the pride in our heritage, against a backdrop of the Sarawak spirit throughout history.
Apart from that, he said, that during his recent visit to Sarawak, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim adoption of ‘Segulai-Sejalai’ rang loud and inspiring, and reflected the importance of Sarawak’s position in the federation.
“Therefore, I appeal to my fellow Sarawakians to work together and forge the ‘Segulai-Sejalai’ spirit of unity and maintain our multi-cultural fabric of harmonious co-existence among our various ethnic groups.
“This way, we contribute towards making Sarawak and even the whole of Malaysia a more beautiful place to live,” he said.
“As I hold Sarawak dear to my heart, I wholeheartedly wish my fellow Sarawakians a most Happy Sarawak Day!”