(From left) Dr Abdul Rahman, Lee, Abu Bakar, Taib, Raghad and others during the Majlis Mesra Saudara Kita’ dinner organised by the Orang Ulu National Association Sarawak.
MIRI: The Orang Ulu National Association Sarawak (OUNA) held a community dinner here on Saturday bringing together representatives from all the ethnic groups of their community.
The guest of honour for the dinner themed ‘Majlis Mesra Saudara Kita’ was Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg was represented by Minister of Transport, Datuk Lee Kim Shin who read his speech.
In his message Abang Johari said the development of Sarawak will not be based entirely on the policies of the federal government and Sarawak’s future can only be determined by Sarawakians.
“We, the children of Sarawak, have our own ways of bringing Sarawak to a developed status by 2030.
“In the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), Sarawak will focus on development of four main cores.”
Elaborating, Abang Johari said the first core is transformation of agriculture to technology-based farming to increase yield and make Sarawak a producer of food supplies by the year 2030.
The second core is to improve the tourism industry and all other services related to the industry.
“The third one is to improve infrastructure development and communication system including upgrading to 5G internet.
“And the fourth one is to boost the development of education and training, in order to prepare Sarawak towards 4.0 industry.”
The chief minister added that there must be political and social stability in Sarawak to realise these objectives.
He cautioned against certain parties, with help from locals who are fomenting racial disunity, especially in longhouses and villages.
“Therefore, I would like to invite everyone to continuously work together to preserve unity, so that all the development programmes which have been planned for can be implemented smoothly.”
Also present were Taib’s wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib; Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail; Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau; Miri Resident Mustapha Julaihi, Baitumal general manager Datu Abang Mohamad Shiblie Abang Mohamad Nailie and OUNA president Datuk Abu Bakar Abdullah.