SIBU: Once a major timber-producing region, Sibu will remain an integral part in the state’s economic development.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sibu is well-positioned to be a centre for commercial and financial services to other towns in the central region like Belaga, Kapit, Kanowit, Song, Mukah, Julau and Sarikei.
“Times have changed and the timber industry has slowed down simply because we cannot cut the trees all the time as we need to protect and preserve our environment and add more value to our timber products.
“Our timber industry has to be developed on a sustainable basis according to standards accepted by the world timber industry.
“I know the industry players are taking serious steps to conform to world standards in forest management and be certified internationally as sustainable,” he said in a text of speech read by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas at the United Chinese Association Lunar New Year gathering held at a leading hotel here on Monday night.
Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib were guests of honour at the gathering.
Abang Johari said although the timber industry was suffering a decline, the services sector should still be the mainstay of Sibu’s economy by virtue of its position as a gateway to the surrounding areas and its hinterland.
He said Sibu has to adapt to the needs of the changing times and being endowed with a vast hinterland, it should focus on agriculture for the production of food.
“The State government has allocated about RM800 million for agricultural development this year through the Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture. Of this amount about RM300 million is set aside to assist smallholders. I hope that the funds will be utilised to transform our agriculture industry, particularly in the use of technology,” he said.
The chief minister noted that currently, agriculture contributes only 15 percent to the State’s gross domestic product (GDP).
“We are facing a food deficit of about RM4 billion. This may increase to RM6 billion by 2030 if we don’t do anything significant now to boost our food production,” he explained.
Abang Johari said that the State government is now quite independent in its decision making as Sarawak is no longer in a situation where it has to ‘kowtow’ to Putrajaya like before.
“Being independent politically, we have the power and space to make decisions that are beneficial to the people and in the interest of Sarawak, and of course in accordance with the rule of law.
“As Chief Minister, my priority is to ensure that Sarawak is strong economically as a weak economy will be detrimental to the wellbeing of our people.
“For this reason, I have set up the Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS) to provide us with alternative funding, took back the Bakun Hydro Dam to give us complete control over our power resources, set up Petros to spearhead our activities in the oil and gas industry, engage with other countries like Singapore to enhance trade and introduce sales tax on our resources to increase our state revenue,” he said.
