By Noor Syahhira Hady & Sarah Hafizah Chandra
KUCHING: The state’s policies leveraging on its natural resources will benefit the future generations of Sarawakians.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said due to the climate change, the world is going towards the preservation of the environment and usage of green energy.
He said that as Sarawak has the resources in terms of producing green energy, he decided to go for renewable and sustainable energy such as hydrogen.
“We optimise our resources because Sarawak has these strengths and resources that can be used as an added value for our economy.
“By using technology and the resources as best as we could, we will be able to add value to our economic activities while preserving the environment at the same time,” he said during a ‘Bicara Hati Rakyat Bersama Abang Johari’ programme over TVS on Saturday night.
The Premier said with the revenue obtained from this new economy, the state government would be capable of generating billions of ringgit in revenue.
“I predict that by 2025 (in three years’ time), we will have a surplus. And to manage this and strengthen our finances, we need to save for the future. This is where the sovereign fund come in.
“Looking at Singapore and Norway, they have huge sovereign funds. That is why I study these two countries and joined a forum on fund management in London.
“InsyaAllah, after the sovereign fund bill is approved, Sarawak will be able to save its money for the future and will receive a big return from it,” he said, adding that the fund will also help realise his dream to give free or cheaper fees for Sarawakians studying in higher education institutions.
In light of this, Abang Johari pointed out that what the state government is doing based on the Post COVID Development Strategy (PCDS2030) is for the sake of the future generation.
“Through PCDS2030, we want Sarawak to be a developed state with higher income for Sarawakians. And by 2030, those who are 18-years-old now will be in the working field.
“Our state government needs to match the economic situation so that they will have jobs with high income.
“In the future, the ecosystem will change, and there will be a new economy where the younger generation will be the players and not us (the veterans).
“In other words, what we are doing now is for them. We think about the situation and the future it holds,” he explained.
