KUCHING: The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government is committed to ensuring equitable development and socioeconomic progress across Sarawak, benefitting all its citizens.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg highlighted social inclusivity as one of the three pillars guiding his administration’s vision to transform Sarawak into a developed and high-income state by 2030.
In his address read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas during the Sarawak 60th independence anniversary thanksgiving prayer ceremony here, Abang Johari acknowledged the rapid development the state has experienced over the past 60 years.
“It was not an easy journey but we made it, especially with the blessings from the multiracial society here. We are indeed very grateful,” he said, adding that Sarawak has also been recognised as a high income state by the World Bank recently.
“The presence (all races from different religious and cultural backgrounds) today show the uniqueness in Sarawak; our unity in diversity is crucial to ensure political and social stability.”
Abang Johari pointed out that the state’s economic policies are designed to promote sustainable development through technology, data, and innovation, thus mitigating climate change.
“As a result, Sarawak generated an impressive RM11.9bil in revenue last year.
“The GPS government will continue seeking new sources of revenue to increase the state’s income and further contribute to its development progress, ultimately benefitting the people.”
Preserving unity and harmony in Sarawak is a priority for the government, and initiatives such as the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) exemplified this commitment, he said.
Established in 2017, Unifor aims to foster goodwill, understanding, tolerance and solidarity among the state’s multiracial and multi-religious population.
The government allocated RM100mil this year to Unifor to support the management, construction and repair of places of worship for non-Islamic faiths.
Earlier, the ceremony started with an opening prayer by Catholic Archbishop Simoh Poh, followed by prayers from the Bahai, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Sikh and Tao faith.
Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian; Minister for Transport, Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin; Deputy Minister for Telecommunication, Datuk Liwan Lagang; Deputy Minister for Public Health and Housing, Datuk Penguang Manggil; federal Minister of Works, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi; National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, and Unifor director Datuk Jack Aman Luat as well as department heads and religious and community leaders were also among those present.
