KUCHING: The Pan Borneo Highway will narrow the development gap between Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem said individuals who travelled to the peninsula could observe how much more developed those states were in terms of infrastructure.
In a pre-recorded video played during the Sarawak Civil Service (SCS) Excellence Night on Friday themed ‘Building Leaders of Excellence’, Adenan said although much more had to be done, the Pan Borneo Highway would be the right measure to narrow this gap.
Adenan recalled having pointed out during the last State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting how insufficient the federal budget allocation to Sarawak was.
“Since our oil and mineral resources earnings are shared with other states in Malaysia, it is only logical for us to be allocated a fairer share as we are the main producer of these resources for the country,” he said.
He said the state would face its first budget deficit in 14 years due to the global economic slowdown, weakening of the Malaysian market and currency, lower commodity prices as well as higher cost of living and doing business.
As such, he called on civil servants to strive to broaden their economic base, enhance their knowledge, upgrade their skills and be more effective and innovative to sustain socioeconomic development.
He said they must also remain vigilant and agile in dealing with external challenges and market uncertainties.
Adenan said more downstream activities would be encouraged with Sarawak opening its doors to international research activities to enable the potential of its natural resources to be maximised.
He reiterated that there would be no new timber concessions and commercial oil palm plantations.
“The focus is now shifted to downstream activities in the oil and gas sector, especially in petrochemical development. Exporting raw materials is not sustainable and will not help in the long run,” he said.
On devolution of powers, he said, “Let me assure you that the negotiation will continue to be pursued by us.”
He added that the state government would not take a confrontational stance as nothing much could be gained by opting for such an approach.
“Devolution of powers will have no meaning if local Sarawakians are not capable of taking up the opportunities offered.
“In this respect, it is important for us to build up a workforce that is skills-based in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to meet the state’s demand for skilled workers by 2030,” said Adenan.