SIMANGGANG: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarawak needed an efficient infrastructure system so that it could become a developed state by 2030.
He said this when officiating at the state-level “Hari Kebangsaan” (National Day) celebration at Sri Aman Civic Centre in Simanggang on Monday (Aug 31).
“That is why the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government has invested so much in providing infrastructure throughout Sarawak,” he added.
The chief minister said Sri Aman Division would be developed through the Sri Aman Development Area (Sada) chaired by Batang Lupar MP Datuk Seri Rohani Karim Abdul Karim.
“The ongoing masterplan study will suggest how the potential of the Sri Aman Division in various sectors including agriculture and tourism can be optimised to enhance the economic status of the area,” he explained.
In his speech, Abang Johari also stressed the importance of peace, harmony and political stability to the development of a state.
Apart from physical development, the state government, he pointed out, had introduced various forms of assistance to the people of Sarawak such as the post-natal care assistance worth RM450 to pregnant mothers, the RM1 flat rate bus fare as well as the free school bus service in Kuching.
The free school bus service, he added, would eventually be extended to other towns in the state including Simanggang.
Abang Johari added the state government had also provided three packages of Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) assistance amounting to RM2.55 billion to help ease the burden of Sarawakians during the Covid-19 crisis.
“These were necessary to complement the federal government’s Bantuan Prihatin Nasional assistance, he said.
The same event was graced by Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Ragad Kurdi Taib.
Tun Taib and Abang Johari flagged off the “Unity Walk” which was the highlight of the state-level “Hari Kebangsaan”.
Abang Johari later joined the 250 participants as they walked 1.5km around Simanggang Town.
Among those present at the celebration were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who is also minister-in-charge of the celebration, other Cabinet ministers and State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion.
Abang Johari (centre), Douglas (left), Abdul Karim (right), other state cabinet ministers and dignitaries join hundreds of Sarawak Unity Walk 2020 participants. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni Abang Johari (centre), Douglas (left), Abdul Karim (right), other state cabinet ministers and dignitaries join hundreds of Sarawak Unity Walk 2020 participants. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni Abang Johari helps push a disabled person on a wheelchair during the Sarawak Unity Walk 2020. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni Abdul Karim (second right) accompanies Tun Taib (left) and Abang Johari (second row, left) on the way to the event venue. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni The cultural troupe clad in Sarawak traditional costume from various ethnics shouting ‘Merdeka’. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni The cultural troupe leading the Sarawak Unity Walk 2020. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni People of Simanggang watch the Sarawak Unity Walk 2020. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni People of Simanggang watch the Sarawak Unity Walk 2020. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni Saarawak Unity Walk 2020 in Simanggang, Sri Aman. Photo: Penerangan Photo: Penerangan Photo: Penerangan Photo: Penerangan Photo: Penerangan Photo: Penerangan Photo: Penerangan