KUCHING: The government will continue to implement rural transformation programmes in tandem with developing Sarawak into a more progressive state for the benefit of all.
Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said efforts to transform the rural areas were being pursued through infrastructure development such as roads, water and electricity supplies, health facilities and education.
“These basic facilities are greatly needed to attract economic activities such as agro-based industry, commercial plantation and tourism,” he said in his Gawai Dayak 2020 message.
Taib added almost 44 per cent of the population in Sarawak still lived in the rural and interior areas. As such the vast rural hinterland was still in need of basic infrastructures, access to education services and health.
“I am grateful to note that poverty in the state has reduced to 2.4 per cent. This means that the rural areas have witnessed changes and are able to provide a better livelihood.
“That is why, the state government has a development agenda not only to achieve a high-status income but also to be the most developed state by 2030,” he said.
Taib said the state government had also embarked on the development of several Rural Growth Centres (RGCs) as one of the strategies to empower rural transformation.
“In this context, the provision of basic facilities in each RGC is essential to support economic activities and improve the quality of the people’s life,” he said.
The Head of State said the rural transformation also required the involvement of the private sector. As such, the government was encouraging the private sector to invest in the rural areas to tap the economic potentials, such as in Tanjung Manis, Bakun, Murum, Tunoh, Baram, Sematan and Merapok.
“This move will certainly have a positive impact on the local community in terms of business and employment opportunities. I believe the rural transformation will bridge the development gap between urban and rural areas.
“Even though our state has prospered as a result of its ongoing development, we have not fully utilised the wealth of the state. As we know, the state’s greatest wealth is its vast land and its agricultural fields,” he pointed out.
He said the people must therefore make efforts to look on the landmass to create new forms of employment and increasing business opportunities for the people, especially those in rural areas.
“Sarawak especially in the central areas are blessed with all kinds of natural resources including fertile soil, forests, hydropower potential from rivers in Ulu Rajang, Limbang, Ulu Baram and also the huge coal reserves in Balingan, Mukah and Nanga Merit in Kapit.
“The state government can open up several areas that have been identified in the Samarahan area, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Mukah and Limbang for commercial rice farming in an effort to increase paddy production to achieve self-sufficiency and the country’s rice stock.
“In general, every development project planned for the state takes into account the local conditions that are quite different from Malaya. Although we have a slightly different development history, but our ambition is to achieve the same level of development and progress as Malaya in line with the one Malaysia principle,” he stressed.
He said the Dayak community played a huge role in enriching the culture — an important characteristic in the image of the state and the country.
“As such we should be proud that the harmony and peace we enjoy today are the result of tolerance and mutual respect among the people of all races, cultures and religions — resulting in the unity and political stability which must be preserved,” he said.
Taib urged celebrants to continue to comply with the standard operating procedure (SOP) by the government for the coming Gawai.
“I would like to wish all Selamat Hari Gawai, Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai, Lantang Senang, Bertuah Melimpah Oleh Utai.”
