S’wak forging ahead with digital economy — Awang Tengah
LAWAS: Sarawak is taking a holistic approach in its drive to embrace the digital economy that will propel it to be one of the developed states in the country.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who is also Minister of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development, said this at a Gawai Dayak Ngiling Bidai ceremony at Hotel Seri Malaysia here on Tuesday night.
“The digital economy is something we must embrace wholeheartedly while industrialisation is the way forward to leapfrog our economy,” he pointed out.
For the state to fully embrace digital economy, he said it would need well- educated and skilled workforce, which the state was seriously training.
He said emphasis must also be given to development of small and medium industries to tap into the state’s abundant resources, pointing to Lawas where there is potential to develop more cottage industries.
He commended the Lun Bawang community for developing the bead-making cottage industry in Lawas.
“They started small and went on to create a name for their products beyond the shores of Sarawak and the products are well-known in other states in the country,” he said.
Awang Tengah, who is also Second Minister of Urban Development and Natural Resources, said the government was always ready to extend a helping hand to those involved in the cottage industry by providing expertise, advice, financial support and other assistance.
At the same time, he commended
The digital economy is a must and we must embrace it wholeheartedly while industrialisation is the way forward to leapfrog our economy.
Lawas MP and Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Datuk Henry Sum Agong for serving his constituents well irrespective of their race and religion and for being able to work with him on development plans and projects for Lawas.
“Lawas is fortunate to have him as our MP and a deputy minister and our federal link.
“He is grassroots- oriented, having made many late night trips from Lawas to KK to fly back to KL for his ministerial duties.
“I hope when the time comes, the people will give him their full support,” he said.
In his speech earlier, Henry disclosed that the development of various infrastructure projects such as Ba Kelalan CIQ, Lawas Hospital and others were ongoing.
He said Lawas District was allocated a grant of RM2.5 million for the maintenance and construction of religious buildings this year.
Also present were Batu Danau Assemblyman Paulus Palu Gumbang and community leaders in Limbang and Lawas.
Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Deputy Chief Minister