Maintain Sarawak’s economic ties with China

CHINA is currently Asia’s largest economy, enticing every neighbouring country around her to establish economic ties so as to spur their nations’ growth and development, especially with Chinese investments. Sarawak too has jumped onto the bandwagon and is actively trying to promote sales of tropical fruits, palm oil, fish cultures and tourism ties with the republic. All these promotional activities with China can stimulate the state’s economic development especially in niche areas where we have advantage like large tracts of land.

It should also be noted that the Malaysian government has recently shelved or cancelled a number of large investment deals with the republic after the Pakatan Harapan government took over earlier this year. Most of these mega projects were deemed too costly or not justifiable, hence their termination. For Sarawak, this is a major setback as it means that potential foreign investment - which would have been a boost to the state’s development - is lost.

In trying to understand these two scenarios, it is important to note that the federal government is attempting to deter ill-conceived projects while the state is chasing bona fide investments. To the Chinese investors, the two opposing moves are indeed puzzling and worrisome.

Sarawak needs to quickly seek federal government’s approval and collaboration with Chinese investors in the state or will face difficulties convincing foreign direct investments here in the future.

Political differences should be put aside for the sake of the state’s future wellbeing and with the slowing down of major economies worldwide, Sarawak cannot afford to lose such vital investors who have financial, technological means and a captured market of over a billion population which could create positive impacts on the lives of people in the state.

Hopefully, sense will prevail for the growth of the nation as Sarawak’s gain is also Malaysia’s gain.