Sarawak capable of transforming economic landscape like China

KUCHING: Sarawak has the capability to transform its economic landscape, similar to the successful development transformations accomplished by China and Japan.
 
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, therefore, called upon all Sarawakians, irrespective of race, to work closely together in helping to achieve the goal of transforming Sarawak into a developed and high-income state by 2030.
 
“As Sarawak has set its target for 2030, we also look at the history of countries that transformed successfully.
 
“One is China. China once struggled, but their former leader Deng Xiaoping transformed the whole economic environment in China.
 
“Deng famously said it does not matter if a cat is black or white so long as it catches mice. To me, I don’t care if you are Chinese, Malay, or Iban, as long as you can build yourself up and develop Sarawak’s economy,” he said.
 
He said this when officiating at the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia’s (ACCCIM) 77th annual general meeting at the Pullman Hotel here today (July 8).
 
Abang Johari, who is also the Finance and New Economy Minister, further said Deng had really opened up the economy, making it one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
 
“I read a book that stated that by the years 2040 to 2050, China will be the world’s largest economy and may beat the United States,” he said.
 
He further mentioned that Japan, another Asian country, achieved success through the Meji Restoration, where they sent their people overseas to gain knowledge and initiate industrial programmes.
 
“Japan then became very strong in logistics, industry, and the Second World War. 
 
“But for us (Sarawak) in the future, we don’t want to make armaments; we want to make people live in comfortable situations. This is the objective of the Sarawak government,” he said.
 
Hence, he said the Sarawak government and the business communities had worked together to formulate the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 to drive the state forward.
 
“Together, we produce a policy that will allow people to put food on their tables,” he said.
 
On a related note, he emphasised that Sarawak will persist in implementing a policy of social inclusivity.
 
“We encourage our people to master English and Mandarin languages besides Bahasa Malaysia. 
 
“Sarawak has no problem with language. We recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) and are the only state to do so.
 
“It would be a missed opportunity if we didn’t, considering that other universities recognise UEC,” he said.
 
He added that the state also does not engage in racial sentiment and stresses the importance of fostering social cohesion for the state’s development.
 
“Our economy must be developed. Once we have environmental sustainability, our economy will prosper, and with social cohesion, we can progress further with the new technology,” said Abang Johari.