State heading in the right direction
Taib says Abang Johari’s forward-looking vision will lead Sarawak to bright future
Sarawak must move in line with the development on global level as we realised that information, communication and technology or ICT are rapidly growing and changing. Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Head of State
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg receives a vote of confidence from Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud who says Sarawak is heading in the right direction with him helming the state government.
Taib expressed confidence that with his forward-looking vision Abang Johari will steer Sarawak to a brighter future.
“I welcome the measures taken by the state government in implement ing va r ious new initiatives on economic development,” he said in his opening address for the First Session of the Second Term of the 18th State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday.
To cope with the rapid digital technology advancement, he pointed out that the government’s decision to develop the digital economy was timely and essential to ensure Sarawak remain globally competent.
“Sarawak must move in line with the development on global level knowing that information, communication and technology or ICT are rapidly growing and changing,” Taib added.
“As such, we must help Sarawak leap frog to a creative and innovative economy and prepare our people to seize the opportunities in the digital economy.”
Digital economy exploration, Taib highlighted, will become the new source of economic growth for Sarawak which will open up more opportunities for the people especially the younger generation to get involved in the borderless ecommerce and e-learning market.
“A complete ICT infrastructure development i s therefore important for a successful digital economic development. In this, I am delighted that the state government will expand the ICT infrastructure not only in the urban areas but also the rural areas,” he said.
He noted that the government has various ICT-based initiatives to equip and prepare the people for the digital economy era such as Digital Village, e- Commerce and e-Learning.
Taib expressed optimism that the government will continue to enhance the prospects and performance of all sectors with added value, including tourism and high tech downstream industry.
“More ef forts are needed to develop the tourism sector especially infrastructure-wise, tourism products, human capital as wel l as active promotion of Sarawak as an attractive destination in the world.
“Technology advancement and research have brought about drastic change to the industries development in the world. So we must move in line with the global trend in order to attract more large scale investment in high tech industry,” he said.
In this uncertain global economic situation, Taib emphasised the need to take strategic steps to spur the economic growth of Sarawak.
“I am glad that the state’s economy continued to grow with low inflation last year. The rate of the state’s economic growth is expected to be between 3.5 and four per cent this year, in line with the growth of Malaysia’s economy. The inflation rate is under three per cent,” he noted.
In addition, he said the state government’s transformation programme for the long term until 2030 which will be implemented by a comprehensive strategic action plan will ensure Sarawak get on the right track.
“The set ting up of three cabinet committees for SocioEconomic Transformat ion, Rural Area Transformation and Performance and Service Delivery Transformation will ensure all initiatives in the transformation programme are successful ly implemented,” he added.
KUCHING: The official opening of the First Session of the Second Term of the 18th State Legislative Assembly ( DUN) sitting went well despite the unpromising weather yesterday.
Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib arrived at the Parade Square, DUN Complex in Petra Jaya here at around 10am.
The national anthem was played shortly after their arrival, which was delayed by about half an hour due to an abrupt downpour.
Taib then inspected the Guard of Honour comprising 105 officers from the 11th Battalion General Operations Force ( GOF).
Among the dignitaries present were Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife Datin Amar Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, DUN Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar and State Secretary
Our deepest condolences to the family of the late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem. Not only was Tan Sri Adenan the fifth Chief Minister of Sarawak, but also former Tanjong Datu assemblyman, former federal minister and former Batang Sadong MP. Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, DUN speaker
Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani.
The inspection was followed by the playing of both the national anthem and the state anthem before all dignitaries and members of the august House made their way to the DUN Hall for Taib’s opening speech.
Prior to the opening speech, Asfia extended congratulatory messages to Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Datuk Talib Zulpilip and Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah for their recent promotion as the third Deputy Chief Minister, Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office ( Integrity and Ombudsmen) and Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Youth and Sports respectively.
Asfia also welcomed Abdullah Saidol and Snowdan Lawan, who were recently appointed as Assistant Minister of Corporate Affairs and Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports respectively, to the state cabinet.
He then commended the state Barisan Nasional and Tanjong Datu assemblywoman Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu for the landslide by- election victory on Feb 18.
Asfia also recorded his condolences to the family of the fifth Chief Minister of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, who passed away on Jan 11.
“Our deepest condolences to the family of the late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem. Not only was Tan Sri Adenan the fifth Chief Minister of Sarawak, but also former Tanjong Datu assemblyman, former federal minister and former Batang Sadong MP.”
Asfia called upon members of the august House to rise and observe a minute of silence for Adenan, who had contributed tremendously to Sarawak’s progress.
He also extended congratulations to Abang Johari for succeeding the late Adenan as the state’s sixth Chief Minister.
Asfia then excused himself in order to lead Taib and Raghad into the hall for the opening speech, which lasted nearly an hour. The official opening ceremony concluded with a prayer recital by Imam Besar Sarawak Sahibul Fadilah.
Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh is expected to table the Supplementary Supply ( 2016) Bill, 2017 today ( May 12).
Six elected representatives are expected to table eight motions while a total of 411 questions seeking for 336 oral replies and 70 written answers will be presented during this sitting.