Yii (fifth left) presenting a token of appreciation to Awang Tengah.
MIRI: Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the people must adapt to the changes required to develop digital economy in the state.
He believes that people in Sarawak will be able to stand up to this challenge.
“We need to embrace change or we will be changed,” said the Chief Minister in his text of speech read by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan at the 12th Miri City Day celebration at Miri City Fan here on Saturday.
To be able to leapfrog to digital economy, he said the state government has set aside a substantial budget to improve ICT infrastructure as well as establishing a digital village in Kuching.
“This is to encourage more usage of digital technology to drive our value chain.
“We also want to encourage our youth to be more innovative and creative in order to be competitive in this globalised world,” he said, adding that the digital village is where youths can put their creative and innovative minds to work and come up with new concepts, products and business models.
Abang Johari emphasised that Miri is the second largest city in Sarawak after Kuching with a population of 370, 000 made up of the Iban, Malay, Kedayan, Chinese, Kelabit, Kayan, Kenyah, Lun Bawang communities and other ethnic groups.
“Miri citizens are living harmoniously and practising different cultures and religions, truly reflecting unity in diversity, which aptly projects this year’s theme ‘Miri Uniquely Borneo’,” he said.
He said the presence of Shell and other petroleum companies had attracted many expatriates to work and live here, making Miri a very modern and cosmopolitan city.
“The economy of Miri is further fuelled by timber and oil palm industries and later by services industries such as tourism and education,” he added.
He added the beautiful beaches and diving spots as well as other natural attractions such as the Unesco world heritage Gunung Mulu National Park and Loagan Bunut, the largest natural lake in Sarawak, have made Miri truly a resort city.
“With good land and air connectivity coupled with beautiful natural attractions, Miri can well position itself as a tourist destination.” Abang Johari said that the establishment of Curtin University Sarawak campus ,as well as the Tanjong Lobang College, Sarawak Teacher’s Training College, Technical and Vocational Institutions around Miri, has gradually transformed the city into an educational hub in the northern region.
Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Assistant Minister of Women, Family and Childhood Development Rosey Yunus, Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting, mayor Adam Yii, deputy mayor Julaihi Mohamad and former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam were also present at the event.