TOWARDS A VIBRANT CITY: Taib (fourth left), flanked on his right by wife Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib and Datuk Professor Lau Siu Wai (chairman of Miri Housing Group of Companies) on his left, checking out the model of the proposed water theme park in Desa Senadin at the opening of Meritz Hotel.
MIRI: Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said the team he has prepared to steer Sarawak after his tenure of office will propel the state to even greater heights and improve on his successful formula.
“I have prepared a team that will most likely improve it for a better Sarawak,” he said when officiating at the simultaneous opening ceremony of Meritz Hotel, Bintang Megamall New Wing, Parkson and GSC Bintang Megamall here yesterday.
An upbeat Taib said the foundation has been laid for the state to achieve its high income status three years before the country achieves its Vision 2020 to be a developed nation, and for Sarawak to be the most prosperous state in the country by 2030.
Taib, who is also Finance Minister and Minister of Resource Planning and Environment, said Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) would be the main driver of the state’s economic development as it would have a multiplier effect outside the corridor.
This is because investors were arriving in droves to SCORE and the trend would continue, he added.
He commended the spirit of entrepreneurship in the state which has propelled its transformation from an agrarian to a diversified economy driven by timber, oil palm, manufacturing and other industries.
On Datuk Professor Lau Siu Wai, chairman of Miri Housing Group of Companies, he said the former exemplified the tenacious spirit of entrepreneurs in overcoming obstacles, making him the first housing developer to deliver the sprawling Desa Senadin housing estate, Bintang Megamall and Meritz Hotel.
He said Lau managed to deliver the first housing project in Miri against all odds when the increasing price of housing materials almost knocked out the feisty young developer in 1965.
“Lau Siu Wai stood out as the most obvious as everyone could see that, and I am most impressed with his spirit that has brought him where he is today although he has suffered misfortune, surviving despite selling at contract price below his cost in his first project,” he said.
He applauded Lau for always keeping a positive mind and looking forward to developing Miri into a vibrant resort city.
Later, Taib was briefed by Lau on the proposed water theme park in Desa Senadin, which will be become a new attraction and feature of this city.
The function was also attended by Taib’s wife Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib, Lau’s wife Datin Milly Goh, former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Dr George Chan and his wife Datuk Lorna Enan Muloon, CEO of MUI Group Tan Sri Khoo Kay Peng, CEO of DSC Group Koh Mei Le, vice chancellor and founding president of HELP University Dr Paul Chan, CEO of Popular Bookstore Chou Cheng Ngok, director of Tenby International School Datuk Lim Si Boon and operations manager of Parkson Group Lee Sui Ying and others.