Abang Johari delivers his speech at the celebration.
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg lists the setting up of Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS), Petros, upgrading of the state’s digital infrastructure and fight for the return of Sarawak’s rights spelt out in the Malaysia Agreement as the platforms he set up for the development of the state.
In an interview to mark his first anniversary in office, Abang Johari told The Borneo Post he will not only continue the policies of his predecessor Pehin Sri Adenan Satem but also formulate his own development plans for the state to have a high income economy by 2030.
Recognising that technology holds the key to Sarawak’s progress, he said he put heavy emphasis in improving the digital infrastructure of the state.
“We have no option but to embrace technology. This has to be done and used in all sector, including agriculture. For that to happen we have to upgrade our basic digital infrastructure.”
The chief minister singled out the acquisition of the Bakun HEP dam as the game changer in the state’s development as the state now has absolute control of its power supply. Abang Johari also touched on enhancing the service industry and public transport.
“Public transport must be upgraded. That is why I go for LRT, and I have our own business model for us to provide LRT for Kuching -Serian sector. This will take time. The implementation will take at least 10 years to complete.”
Among the other subjects he touched on were the modernisation of agriculture, long term planning for water distribution in the state and the need to establish an authority to control the usage of lakes created by dams.
In his conclusion Abang Johari cautioned against depleting the state’s coffers in pursuing the state’s development goals.
“The question is basic management of economy, but at the same time you must have good business model without depleting our reserves. We must use our reserves. The policies must be correct and financial management must be correct also,” he said.