By GOH PEI PEI & SARAH HAFIZAH CHANDRA
KUCHING: Sarawak women will continue to be given equal or even greater opportunities for comprehensive and active roles in the economic and social development of society.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said women and men are equally important for Sarawak to move forward and become a high-income, developed state by 2030.
“As long as they (women) can perform, they can do the job, and they will have the opportunity as well as reward.
“We are talking about gender equality, so women and men will enjoy the same rights, resources, opportunities, and protections,” he said at the launch of the Hari Wanita Sarawak 2023, themed “Embrace Equity,” held at the Penview Convention Centre (PCC) Demak here today.
Under his leadership, Abang Johari assured that the women will be given the opportunities to play their roles in all fields and sectors.
He said women usually stay focused when given a task and are determined to give their best and complete it.
“That’s why, in the civil service, we can see more women taking up bigger roles and higher positions due to their qualifications and capabilities, not because of other specific reasons or their personal background.
“I will continue to ensure that my government remains inclusive,” he added.
Abang Johari also encouraged the women to continue to develop their critical thinking skills, as these skills are crucial and necessary for Sarawak to transform into a new economy based on digitalisation and the green economy.
Sarawak, he said, is blessed with an abundance of resources, but the state also needs talents that know how to use them to benefit the state and its people.
“So, we need more women to become critical thinkers, not only women but men as well, in our efforts to transform into the new economy,” he stressed.
Abang Johari also said that Sarawak’s new economy as well as its efforts and focus on carbon trading and hydrogen have been recognised by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as well as other industry leaders and experts from other countries.
He said he will be meeting Anwar tomorrow night (March 19) to discuss the hydrogen economy, carbon trading, and other related matters.
“Yes, the prime minister had called me last week as he wanted to discuss these issues with me. This is because Sarawak is at the forefront of the hydrogen economy.
“Besides, participants who attended the Asia Carbon Conference (ACC) recently, including those from Norway, had also asked me about the same topic, wanting me to share more about my views on the hydrogen economy in Sarawak,” he said, adding that these showed that Sarawak has embarked on the right path to a sustainable future.
Thus, Abang Johari called on the women in Sarawak to join him on the journey, transforming Sarawak into the new economy.
Sarawak, he said, will continue to groom more women as part of our transformation efforts. Our women will have a bright future.
“So, I invite all the women to join us as we move forward to achieve high income status by 2030. I also want Sarawak to be the most developed state by 2030,” he stressed.
