BY ALEXANDRA LORNA & NATASHA JEE
KUCHING: The upcoming Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) convention to be held in conjunction with the Sarawak 60th Independence Anniversary will put more emphasis on explaining the state’s new economy policy.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the convention would be held in four zones namely Kuching, Betong, Sibu and Miri with the theme of ‘PBB Teras Kestabilan, Kemajuan dan Kemakmuran Sarawak’.
“We held a meeting today, and we will focus on explaining the new economic policy to our party members which is based on renewable energy and new industries from the renewable energy approach.
“Among them are carbon trading and hydrogen economy,” he said during a press conference after chairing the PBB Supreme Council meeting at the party’s headquarters here yesterday.
He also said that another focus would be on improving the environment through circular economy which the convention would introduce on new waste management to energy.
“These are the new things that PBB leadership will implement and PBB members must look into the direction of this new economy policy so that it can benefit the state,” he said.
He also said that under Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS), the state government will safeguard its right within its law.
“For example in carbon trading, it is the asset of Sarawak, and therefore any economic benefit out of that carbon trading must benefit Sarawak and its people.
“And if the carbon is stored in Sarawak’s offshore, it means that it is under our land code. It belongs to Sarawak. And the manager in managing our carbon trading is Petros,” he said.
Abang Johari added Sarawak government would also focus on increasing the household income of the people even though Sarawak has been recognised by the World Bank as a high-income state.
“All this income will be managed so that we can increase the income of the people in rural areas through the development of infrastructure, electricity supply, water supply and also the internet network.
“This is because the process to increase people’s income sources will depend on modern infrastructure, especially the internet because it will allow buying and selling and production through the internet.
“Because of that, Sarawak will provide allocations to upgrade the internet together with the federal government through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) because from the point of view of economic progress, it will bring prosperity to Sarawak in the future,” he said.
The convention will be held here on Sept 23, followed by Betong on Oct 8; in Sibu on Oct 29 and in Miri on Nov 11.
