CM: Digital tech push will end discrimination
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg wants to end racial discrimination by transforming the state’s economy through digital technology.
“Technology is colour blind ... it doesn’t care whether you are Chinese, Dayak or Malay. And when your economy is liberalised, everybody will benefit.
“There is no more racial discrimination because it depends on your ability to give value to whatever you want to do.
“To me, the racial thing will be out because with technology, you either know it or you don’t,” he said in an exclusive interview with The Star.
Abang Johari, who was sworn in as Chief Minister on Jan 30, said the technologically savvy would be able to earn more in the digital economy he envisioned for Sarawak.
“But you must create the environment to do that. That is why I really want to go for the digital economy.
“Then there will be real competition among students and they can try to produce something that is really different from others.
“It’s no longer based on race. Anyone who is good, let them do it,” he added.
On his proposed LRT project, the CM said construction of the trunk line from Kuching to Serian was expected to start within the next three years.
He said the line would connect the Kuching International Airport and Kuching Sentral bus terminal with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak in Kota Samarahan and Serian.
“The first phase of the project will focus on the main trunk before connecting other parts of Kuching city. It will take between eight and 10 years to complete,” he added.
Abang Johari said the feasibility study for the LRT has been completed, adding that it would help the state to set up new townships in suburban areas and ease population density in the city.
He said the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation will manage the LRT service in its formative stage through a subsidiary company.
“The company will find ways and means to recover the cost, not through the LRT service itself but by other developments such as new townships and the stations, with premises that can be rented to businesses,” he said.
To me, the racial thing will be out because with technology, you either know it or you don’t. Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg