KUCHING: Sarawak is confident that its high income status according to the World Bank country classifications will be translated to higher household income for the people by 2030.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said this would be achieved through education and talent development and equipping the people with the right skills and knowledge.
Therefore, he said, the government was committed to preparing a future industry-ready talent pool as Sarawak propelled itself towards becoming a developed state through the Sarawak Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).
“If a state is rich, its people must be rich as well.
“Thus, if you ask me how to translate (the wealth of the state) to the ordinary people in Sarawak – that is through (investing in) education and talent development,” he said.
Abang Johari was speaking at the ‘Seventh Year with the Premier’ Townhall Session held at the Satok Ballroom, Hikmah Exchange Event Centre last night (Jan 13).
The premier also shared that he strongly agreed with a Chinese proverb “give a man a fish you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”.
Therefore, he said, the Sarawak government would continue to ensure access to proper and quality education for Sarawakians instead of relying solely on the national education policy.
“Besides, education is vital in breaking the poverty cycle.
“That’s why I have been thinking about providing free tertiary education for our children by 2026 as education is the key to overcoming poverty, to transforming the lives of low income families and communities,” he added.
Abang Johari also reiterated that Sarawak would continue to prioritise English as one of its official languages as well as in the state’s education policy apart from Bahasa Melayu despite some negative comments.
He said the two languages were equally important as English was no longer for the westerners (orang putih) but an international language.
“Some quarters claimed that we were not patriotic. But, if we want to become a global player, we must master English as well. Of course, Bahasa Melayu is still mandatory (in our education system),” he said.
The session was moderated by TV host Sayed Munawar, political analyst Professor Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian and entrepreneur Mona Abdul Manap, to delve into the Premier’s strategic vision and commitment to development, innovation and sustainability.
Also present were the Premier’s wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, the president of the Dewan Negara Tan Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Sarawak state secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, state and federal ministers among others.
