‘We’re on the road to greater things’
Adenan reiterates state’s stand on English; exhorts Sarawakians to safeguard unity, protect environment
KUCHING: The state government is prepared to support private institutions, secular or religious, that provide an environment conducive to the teaching and learning of English.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem said English was already the state’s second official language after Bahasa Malaysia.
“We need to be proficient in English because it is an international language used in the expansion of knowledge, trade and commerce,” he said in his Christmas and New Year message yesterday.
“I believe we can master the language without downgrading Bahasa Malaysia as our national language. We are prepared to support private institutions (for this purpose).”
On hudud, the chief minister reiterated his stand that it would not be implemented in the state and that Christians were free to use the word ‘Allah’.
He said he was happy that Sarawakians were able to stay together and that religion was of no issue because they believed ‘your religion is your religion, and my religion is my religion’.
Christmas, said Adenan, was a time of great rejoicing and celebrations for Christians, but in Sarawak, the people of other religions also shared in the joy and festivities.
“Sarawak is a land where
We need to be proficient in English because it is an international language used in the expansion of knowledge, trade and commerce. — Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, Chief Minister
people of many different races and religious beliefs live together happily side by side. Many years ago, when there was a racial riot in another part of the country, we, in Sarawak, regarded it only as a ‘rumble in the distant hills’,” he said.
“Of late, when there was a great deal of social tension on issues of race and religion, but we in Sarawak kept our cool and refused to be drawn into debates that are very divisive in nature.”
Adenan said Sarawakians were like brothers and sisters and had much respect for one another’s culture and religion.
“In some parts of Sarawak, there are Christian and Muslim families that stay together under the same roof.”
On another matter, he said Sarawakians had high hopes that the Pan-Borneo Highway would help propel the state’s economy.
“Our Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) launched eight work packages of the project that cover the distance from Sematan to Miri (on Dec 18).
“Although the packages were launched a few days ago, I believe many of you who travel from Sematan to Miri have seen that the works under some packages have already started.
“Pan-Borneo highway is not empty talk: it is steadily becoming a reality.”
At a ceremony in Miri on Dec 18, Najib launched the eight work packages totalling RM12.5 billion. The eight are part of the 11 packages of the alignment of the overall 1,089km Pan Borneo highway in Sarawak.
Adenan also said the time had come for the creation of more downstream industries because the state could not be a commodity-based economy forever.
He said more downstream industries were needed in order to process raw materials such as natural gas, timber and silica sand into products that could fetch much greater value than when they were exported raw.
“With the implementation of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy Programme or SCORE, Sarawak is well on the road to industrialisation, with more and more investment from overseas.
“SCORE has attracted 21 investments worth RM33.50 billion and generating over 17,000 employment opportunities, especially in the Samalaju industrial zone in Bintulu,” he said.
“We have the advantage of being able to provide relatively cheap hydro-power that we are harnessing from our rivers to run the industries.”
On the road to greater things ahead, he said Sarawakians must not forget their duty to care for and preserve the environment. They must help keep the state’s natural environment as pristine.
“It takes thousands of years for a tree to grow but only takes a few minutes to cut it down.
“The first few things that I did when I assumed office were to stop giving timber concessions, stop issuing permits to set up commercial plantations on state land and fight illegal logging,” he said.
“Uncontrolled and indiscriminate clearing of our forest must be stopped to preserve our forest and protect our flora and fauna. Our forest, with all its diversity, is our heritage that we must protect,” said Adenan.