KOTA SAMARAHAN: The people of Sarawak are called upon to uplift their capability to a higher level so that they can move along with the state government in its efforts to achieve progress.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said it is crucial as the state has now been recognised as a high-income state by the World Bank.
“Our Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and other leaders had to organise a good plan for the state’s expenses from the state government’s increasing income.
“It is important so that we can improve the level of development and the economy of the people through the implementation of infrastructure development, human development, and others.
“Therefore, it is timely for our people to respond to this and join hands in developing the state and not solely depend on the government and companies,” he said.
He said this at the Sarawak Merdeka 60th Anniversary Convoy for Samarahan Division flagging-off ceremony at The Summer Shopping Mall here today.
He added that as of today, the income for Sarawak has increased so much that, four or five years ago, Sarawak only earned RM5 billion or RM6 billion a year from the oil and gas sector.
“However, in the first quarter of this year alone, we have reached that amount, which is equivalent to the total return of previous years, and that is why we have been recognised as having such status,” he said.
Abdul Karim added that with the status, he hoped that the federal government would not reduce the allocation to the state.
“We do not want this to happen, as when we are uniting in the government of the day, it is the responsibility of the federal government to develop the region or state under their care.
“Alhamdulillah, this time we have progressed, but we don’t want only the government to progress. The people also need to progress together by increasing their capabilities to a higher level.
“And this is what we expected when Sarawak reached 60 years of independence,” he said.
On the convoy, Abdul Karim, who is also the Asajaya assemblyman, said that he was happy and proud of the celebration happening in Samarahan.
“We saw a lot of flags being flown along the roads, including the villages. This is the spirit, and we are glad to see the cheeriness shown by the people,” he told our reporter.
