KUCHING: The Chinese business community has been urged to cooperate with Bumiputeras to develop the agriculture and tourism sectors in Kuching, Samarahan and Serian under the state government’s Greater Kuching development strategy.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said this is in line with the sobjectives of setting up the Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA).
“We are giving a budget of RM1.5 billion to this agency and I hope the Chinese business community will work together with the Bumiputeras to develop areas in Greater Kuching encompassing Kuching, Samarahan and Serian.
“I hope you can work together to develop agriculture and tourism,” he said at the Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations (SFCA) of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions’ Chinese New Year dinner at Imperial Hotel here on Monday (Feb 6).
Abang Johari, who is also the Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development and Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability, said his government also wants to improve the mobility where Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) will be operating in the Greater Kuching area.
“As you know, we are implementing modern public transportation which uses ART powered by hydrogen because we want to be a smart city with a city that is less polluted and a city that we can be proud of.”
On June 12 last year, Abang Johari had agreed to set up GKCDA following requests by Bidayuh-elected representatives to form the agency.
The agency will focus on and coordinate development in the Greater Kuching area.
Also present were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, Satok assemblyman Datuk Ibrahim Baki, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching Xing Weiping, and SFCA president Datuk Richard Wee.
