SIBU: Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) is urged to give undivided support to the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government led by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
In making the call, deputy premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the GPS government could provide development and help the people of Sarawak.
“We need a forward-thinking, visionary leader like Abang Johari to chart out more and more beneficial policies. I would like to appeal to our people to continue giving their undivided support to his government.
“We are all looking forward to having better income and higher standard of living by 2030 through his leadership but he will definitely need a united, stable, and harmonious Sarawak plus the total support of the people to achieve the goal,” said Uggah.
He said this in his speech while officiating at the SDNU 36th Triennial General Assembly Welcoming Dinner here on Friday night.
Uggah pointed out that the state government had launched the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030(PCDS 2030) with the objective of turning the state into a developed region and a high-income society driven by data and innovations by 2030. One of the pillars of the strategy, he said, was inclusivity.
“One of the efforts by the Sarawak government is setting up rural development agencies in their determination to find ways to accelerate rural development by adopting a bottom-up approach and inclusive policy.
“To achieve this, it has formed regional development agencies such as Highland Development Agency (HAD), Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA), Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA), Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA), Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA) and more.
“Each agency is allocated RM1.5 billion allocation specifically to these agencies. I am the chairman of HAD and I witness how 1.5 billion can help. This approach will be instrumental in accelerating rural development and reflects the inclusive policy of the GPS government.”
Uggah added another clear evidence of the inclusivity policy of the GPS government was the setting up of Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) in 2017. So far, it has given out RM230 million to build or upgrade many non-Islamic houses of worship statewide.
“Our premier is also very inclusive in helping NGOs such as the Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Federation of the Orang Ulu Associations (FORUM), Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) and also SIDS.
“For the longhouse loan, the state government has approved an annual allocation of RM50 million with an interest-free loan. These are some of the examples that show our GPS government is always taking care of all their people’s needs,” he said.
Uggah hoped SDNU would organise a seminar to explain to its members the philosophy and strategies of PCDS 2030.
