KUCHING: After 50 years of prosperity through independence within Malaysia, Sarawakians should possess greater determination to serve and make the state stronger in order to contribute towards the betterment of the country.
Taib arriving for the event accompanied by Adenan, Jabu and other state cabinet ministers. Ragad is at right and Jamilah second right. — Photo by by Muhd Rais Sanusi
Taib launching the pictorial book while others look on. — Photo by by Muhd Rais Sanusi
Jabu presenting a memento to Taib (right) while Adenan looks on.
Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said Sarawakians must have the determination to ensure the state play a bigger role to the nation’s prosperity and unity and to ensure the country remain successful.
He believed Sarawak’s success in the past 50 years had enabled it to transform itself from the backwaters to an industrialised state and to remain successful for the next 50 years and more.
To transform Sarawak into a modern and industrialised state, he said everybody knew this must be led by a team of future generations that would be able to prepare themselves to lift Sarawak into a very successful and prosperous state.
Equally important was to safeguard the unity of people of various races in the country, he continued.
“We should have more determination to serve our state with greater confidence and make it the top state in the whole country able to contribute towards the betterment of Malaysia as a whole.
He said this when officiating at a special event to commemorate July 22 – Sarawak’s Independence Day from Colonial Rule and Celebration of 50 Years of Sarawak Independence in Malaysia, at the State Legislative Assembly building here yesterday.
“I know that Sarawak will be able to achieve an industrialised state status but the greater challenge is to make our society able to cope with the changes.
“Indication has also been positive with the state having more people assuming greater responsibility in their work and the younger generations preparing themselves well for the challenges.
“Sarawak will surely develop fully where no section is left out or any of its people sidelined by the wave of development,” Taib said.
Touching on the current generation of state leaders led by Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem, Taib was content that the sense of responsibility towards the state continued to flow strongly from the first generation leaders in which he (Taib) was a part of, to the second generation led by Adenan.
“I have no doubt that Adenan will be able to bring more success to Sarawak. He is a very patient man, has an analytical mind and the determination to see that Sarawak will be the forerunner in Malaysia by 2030.”
Taib added that the preparation of present leaders, with the thinking of the younger generations, the leadership of Sarawak would be able to attract more young people to serve the state and realise its full potential.
Among those present were Taib’s wife Toh Puan Ragad Kurdi Taib, Adenan’s wife Puan Sri Dato Jamilah Anu, Jabu’s wife Dato Sri Empiang, Land Development Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, other state cabinet ministers and state secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Ghani.