MIRI: Sarawak has emerged the top among all the states in Malaysia which brought in the highest amount of foreign direct investments (FDIs), totalling RM15.8 billion this year, for the period of January until September.
Quoting on a financial market report on Sarawak’s achievement in attracting FDIs for that nine-month period, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg attributed the success to the state’s political stability and harmony among various races here.
“Unlike those in the Peninsular Malaysia, that kept on fighting and quarrelling for Malaysia’s premierships, we, in Sarawak continue to stand united amongst one another, and that is why foreign investors are keen to come here and invest,” he pointed out at the earth-breaking ceremony of the Federation of Orang Ulu Associations of Sarawak Malaysia (Forum) building project here today.
The Forum building was designed to reflect the nine associations forming the membership of Forum heritage, namely Persatuan Kayan Sarawak, Persatuan Kebangsaan Kenyah Sarawak, Rurum Kelabit Sarawak, Persatuan Bisaya Sarawak, Persatuan Saban Sarawak, Persatuan Berawen Sarawak, Persatuan Lun Bawang Sarawak, Petipun Penan Sarawak and Lakiput Sarawak.
The project, which costs RM25 million, is scheduled for completion in May 2022.
It sits on a five-acre land along the Jalan Pujut Padang Kerbau.
The state government has taken an inclusive approach in its policies, to spur its socioeconomic growth, said Abang Johari.
“Political stability is needed to attract and essential for FDIs inflow. Everybody in our community and ethnic groups, including the Orang Ulu, will definitely gain benefits,” he pointed out.
He reiterated that, for the past three years, since he took over in 2017, various initiatives had been announced and made to propel Sarawak forward.
Besides setting up the Sarawak’s very own petroleum company, Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros), we have established Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score), the Upper Rajang Development Agency (Urda), Highland Development Agency (HDA), and Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA), to intensify initiatives to bring inclusive development for the people of Sarawak, he said.
“In 2017, when I first embarked on a digitalisation initiative, people criticised me. But then, when Covid-19 pandemic hit the world , and Sarawak was no exception, then we found out the idea (of digitalisation) had proven to give a lot of benefit to the people,” he said.
Also present during the event were State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Deputy Speaker Datuk Gerawat Gala, who is also Forum advisor cum the building committee chairman; Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Minister of Transport Datuk Lee Kim Shin; Assistant Minister of Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Rosey Yunus; Forum president Datuk Antonio Kahti Galis; and the event organising chairman cum Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau.
