CM thanks Najib for Pan Borneo highway
Abang Johari says state grateful for development implemented by federal govt, pledges to work towards closer ties with Putrajaya
BINTULU: The state government thanked the federal government for its efforts to develop Sarawak since the formation of Malaysia 54 years ago and pledged to work towards closer ties with Putrajaya.
Addressing the state- level National Day celebration here yesterday, Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for approving the construction of the Pan Borneo Highway from Telok Melano in Sematan to Miri and from Limbang to Lawas.
“This is the biggest infrastructure development project undertaken by the federal government in Sarawak in 54 years, and we believe the highway will push Sarawak to greater heights,” he said, adding that Malaysia was not a deterrent for Sarawak to determine her own destiny.
“Now is the time for us to move forward and become a developed state if not better than others,” he said.
Under A bang J oh ari’ s leadership, several initiatives have been implemented such as the setting up of Development Bank of Sarawak ( DBOS) and Petros, a wholly owned state oil and gas company.
The chief minister said Bintulu is blessed for being the centre of the oil and gas industry in Sarawak while Samalaju a centre for SCORE.
“We also want Bintulu to be a hub for the gas industry in Sarawak as a methanol plant will be built in Tanjung Kidurong soon.”
Abang Johari also talked about Bakun HEP being taken over from the federal government by the
This is the biggest infrastructure development project undertaken by the federal government in Sarawak in 54 years, and we believe the highway will push Sarawak to greater heights. Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Chief Minister
state, the devolution of powers, and agricultural transformation.
“We have to come up with a new way to develop our agriculture so that it can become a profitable business venture for our farmers. I have approved an allocation of RM100 million as venture capital that shall be made available through a special purpose vehicle that the government will form soon,” he said.
On the devolution of powers, Abang Johari said the state would always discuss the matter with the federal government in a friendly and family- like atmosphere to resolve whatever issues and to come up with amicable solutions.
“We thank the prime minister for being always open and willing to discuss with us our request such as the state powers which have been eroded over the years, to be returned to Sarawak.
“We support a strong central government and we want a the state- federal relationship to be close and cordial,” he added.
A total of 80 contingents, compr i sing thous ands o f participants took part at the parade held at Bintulu Civic Centre yesterday, starting 8am.
BINTULU: Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, the last surviving member of the cabinet formed during selfgovernment in 1963, and former chief minister, has devoted much of his life to the service of the people.
Speaking at the state- level National Day celebration at the civic centre here yesterday, Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said Taib was a leader and a statesman who has put Sarawak on a firm footing to be a progressive modern economy. Taib and his wife Datuk Patinggi Toh Puan Ragad Kurdi Taib were guests of-honour at the celebration.
“Your tenure as Sarawak’s chief executive until February 2014 has resulted in the emergence of modern Sarawak,” he added.
Taib served at the federal cabinet for a good number of years before he came back to Sarawak as its fourth chief minister in March 1981. During Sarawak’s formative years at the time of the previous chief ministers – Stephen Kalong
Your tenure as Sarawak’s chief executive until February 2014 has resulted in the emergence of modern Sarawak.
Ningkan, Penghulu Tawi Seli and Tun Rahman – they were preoccupied with the task of stabilising Sarawak’s politics and making it safe from inside and outside threat. Abang Johari said Taib’s era was one that was devoted to using political stability and unity to develop Sarawak into a modern economy.
Abang Johari added: “The politics of development that Tun introduced has been our development philosophy. It has considerably reduced politicking, which if left unchecked, would hamper the smooth process of the state’s development.
“Unity was further forged with the concept of the confluence of rivers where our diverse social structure was likened to the many
Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Chief Minister
small rivers and tributaries that poured their waters into a main river, where waters of various colours are blended into a single colour before f lowing into the sea.”
He added that Taib’s era as chief minister was capped with the implementation of well-thoughtout plan to industrialise Sarawak through the implementation of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy ( SCORE).
Abang Johari said SCORE has become a turning point in Sarawak’s economic and industrial development which saw the emergence of large foreign investors and the creation of thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities.
“SCORE has made it possible for Sarawak to exploit its renewable energy potentials and develop new sources of wealth to enhance Sarawak’s economic status,” he said.