KUCHING: The state government will be developing smart cities and competitive cities according to seven principles.
These seven principles consist of enhancing the economic density, expanding transit oriented development, strengthening knowledge-based cluster, enhancing livability, adopting green-based development & practices, ensuring inclusivity and strengthening digital infrastructure for smart cities.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg revealed that these principles would attract capital, businesses, talent and visitors to help spur the state’s economic growth.
“Competitiveness comes in various forms, which includes livability with the provision of infrastructures to the people.
“These infrastructures consist of integrated public transportation, affordable housing, education, business centres and health facilities,” he said while presenting his speech to the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud at the Special State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Third Meeting for the Second Term in conjunction with the 150th DUN anniversary here yesterday.
Johari added that the cities in Sarawak must also be smart and green with high speed and reliable broadband networks, more parks and green areas as well as sports facilities.
“With the provision of these infrastructures and facilities, we expect that more people will visit, live and work in the cities,” he said.
Meanwhile, on the Malaysia Agreement 1963, Johari disclosed that the resolutions passed in the various DUN sittings would be presented to the federal government alongside findings from the original documents of the agreement.
A high level special task force had retrieved the documents last year to restore the state’s autonomous rights.
The chief minister revealed that the agreement contained the terms of Sarawak being part of the Federation of Malaysia.
“It is to safeguard our special interest. The Malaysia Act was passed to amend various Articles of the Federal Constitution while the Immigration Act was passed to entrench the rights of Sarawak to control the entry into and residence in the state.
“We are seeking to restore our rights to the 12 nautical miles which was limited to three nautical miles by the Territorial Sea Act 2012.
“We will exert our mining rights including oil mining as part of the rights of Sarawak in the Federal Constitution.
“Despite the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA) which gives PETRONAS the right to explore and mine for petroleum, we will still pursue this,” he said.
The process of devolution of power was started in 2016 whereby phase one of the negotiation resulted in an agreement on 13 points of administrative empowerment.
Phase two gives priority to financial matters, oil, mineral and gas including the distribution of gas and revenue from land.
