KUCHING: The Chamber of Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneurs (DUBS) wishes a continued and enhanced participation in the construction industry for the Bumiputera community.
DUBS president Datuk Abang Helmi Ikhwan noted that Sarawak had seen a lot of progress since Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg took over in 2017.
This, he said, included the progress in pushing for Sarawak’s involvement in the oil and gas industry in both the upstream and downstream production and distribution activities through Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS), which would bring in sizeable new revenues for the state now and in the future.
“Most notable is the achievement of imposing a petroleum sales tax on the petroleum industry in the state.
“These extra revenues enable the Sarawak government to embark on many new projects like the Coastal Highway, numerous bridges spanning wide rivers, the expansion of rural electricity and water supply grids, Automated Rail Transport (ART), new hydroelectric projects, as well as vital socioeconomic projects like industrial parks and international schools.
“The spin-off from these projects benefitted many DUBS members in the construction industry.
“It is our hope that the Sarawak government under Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will continue and enhance the participation of DUBS members in government construction and supply contracts,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.
Abang Helmi asserted that DUBs also hoped that the Sarawak government would expand its activities to promote a more vigorous environment for the rapid growth of entrepreneurs and businesses in the Bumiputera community.
He added that the hope included targeted financial assistance in sectors with good potential.
