Heartfelt thanks to Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) and RTM Sarawak for their wonderful support

Our heartfelt thanks to Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) and RTM Sarawak for their wonderful support towards the recent staging of "Citrawarna Malaysia" which held in Kuching from 24 to 27 of this month. Thank you for organising a "live" interview for me at our iconic Darul Hana Bridge at Kuching Waterfront which greatly helped us in promoting the 3-day event which was the first of its kind to be held in the city. 

Our deepest appreciation to Federal's Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC), YB Dato Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri who was instrumental in bringing the wonderful Citrawarna festivities to Sarawak soils. It really helps to boost our local economy especially the entrepreneurs and business community which were abled to sell their range of products to the thousands of spectators there. We are happy and satisfied with the overall compliance of SOP among our local folks who went to the various localities throughout Citrawarna period and this showed the high level cooperation of cooperation to the organisers and relevant authorities.   

Kudos to our young entrepreneurs on their business initiatives

 I gave my thumbs up to our local youth entrepreneurs who organised various business events and activities that showcase a variety of their products and services. Last weekend I was invited by the youth section of the Dewan Usahawan Bumiputera Sarawak or DUBS to their inaugural "Roombark Bundle and Food Fest" which was held at State Perpaduan Negeri Sarawak in Petra Jaya. The atmosphere there was great because a lot of our local folks especially the young came to support their peers who participated in the weekend event supported by Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED).

In my speech, I urged our young entrepreneurs to think out of the box and leverage on the latest information communication technology (ICT) especially the widespread use of social media platforms such as Facebook, Tik Tok, Instagram, Youtube etc. This will facilitate the promotion, sales and marketing of their range of products and services via online interactions with Netizens including potential customers. The establishment of the new portfolio in entrepreneur development in my ministry augurs well in our objectives in encouraging our young folks to create their own jobs and business opportunities. One of the ways for our youths to move forward in getting income security is through entrepreneurship and our State Government via MYSED will play its role to facilitate the development of youth entrepreneurship in Sarawak.   

Sarawak X-Tive to be launched on March 5 in Gedong

I gave the thumbs up to Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (MYSED) for organising our inaugural "Sarawak X-Tive" which a sports related event which can be seen our own version of National Sports Day or HSN. It is scheduled to be launched on March 5 in Gedong and simultaneously in 12 other locations throughout Sarawak.

The event is expected to be officially launched by our Right Honourable Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg with our local folks in Gedong are going to join the exciting event. The targeted number of participants at the divisional levels is 500 per venue which include Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Sibu, Sarikei, Mukah, Kapit, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang.

There will be four main activities to be held during the event namely fitness, recreational, extreme and traditional sports. Other popular sporting events that will be organised on the day are fun rides, aerobics, zumba, autoshow, futsal, wall climbing, water sports, sepak raga bulatan, esports, boat racing, arm wrestling and many others tailored to the local community’s favourites.

Basically Sarawak X-tive is an initiative to cultivates sports for its value, well-being, active lifestyle and unity of our community. By having more community related events,  the involvement of our youths be fostered especially in sports. Thus, this will help steer them away or avoid negative social issue. We always believe that together we must inculcate sports culture as a daily practice in our society because it can lead to the creation of a larger group of diverse local sports talents and raise Sarawak at national and international levels. Together we can help Sarawak government’s efforts towards becoming a sport powerhouse at the national level but also create various employment opportunities to local folks.

No decision yet to the proposed reopening of Sarawak's borders come March 1

We have yet to decide with regards to the National Recovery Council’s (NRC) proposal to fully reopen our country’s borders on March 1. I had expressed my views to our media friends this morning on this matter which is expected to revive the State’s economic sector if we were to follow NRC's recommendations. Such decisions actually falls under the authority of Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) but in my personal opinion, it is the right time to do so. This is because many countries have already opened up their international borders...if we do not follow, we may be in trouble. Hence, I fully welcome NRC’s proposal, and it should be done without the mandatory quarantine. It will essentially boost our own Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS2030) because it helps to boost the various sectors which were badly hit by the pandemic the past two years.

I have asserted the fact that although the number of new positive cases have reached over 20,000 lately, Sarawak is one of the states with highest rates in the country in terms of vaccinated population including booster shots. Covid is here to stay and we have to accept the fact that we are living with it and the new norm. As long as we are vaccinated, we do not have to be too worried but we must instil awareness on the need to strictly adhere to all standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and SDMC. I am not saying that vaccinations, including the booster dose will prevent you from getting the virus but it will be milder (in terms of symptoms). That is why everyone must be reminded and to put their respective responsibility and efforts in complying with the SOP and safety. I am also advocating for the continue usage of the e-Health declaration form as the form can be approved online almost immediately. On the other hand, I strongly disagrees to requiring potential visitors to submit their applications through the EnterSarawak apps. This is because the apps is processed manually where SDMC gets a lot of applications on daily basis. With just a few staff available to process the applications, they are unable to cope, causing a large backlog of applications, as well as frustration and anger for applicants.

Sarawak Legislative Assembly is the highest lawmaking body here if compared to Dewan Bahasa Pustaka

We disagree with the suggestion made by Dewan Bahasa Pustaka (DBP) board of control chairman, Prof Datuk Awang Sariyan who recently advised us to reconsider its decision to use ‘Premier’ to address the Right Honourable Chief Minister of Sarawak. I have mentioned to our media friends that Sarawak has the right to rename the designation of Chief Minister to ‘Premier’ as the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill 2022 was passed by the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) which is the highest lawmaking body in Sarawak. 

The Bill that passed and was done in the highest lawmaking body in Sarawak (DUN) if compared to Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. I have also reasoned that there were long term implications to the use of the term, one of which was creating the perception that there was a prime minister at the state level. 

He added that one of the implications was that the concept of federalism, which is the basis of the Malaysian Federation being affected, and this needed to be examined carefully. While the views of DBP are well noted however it is our rights to do so. You have to respect our DUN which the highest lawmaking body here and other language specialists might not concur with Prof Awang Sariyan views. The Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill 2022 to change the designation of the Chief Minister to ‘Premier’ and Assistant Minister to ‘Deputy Minister’ was passed by Sarawak's on February 15 and was passed with more than two-thirds majority when 67 members voted in favour, while six members had opposed it.

Looking forward to the official opening of new Borneo Culture Museum on March 4

Many of local folks are excited with the official opening ceremony of our new Sarawak Museum building which will be officiated by the Yang Dipertuan of Sarawak, His Excellency Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud on 4 March.

The museum had been renamed as "Borneo Culture Museum" and it is the largest in #Malaysia as well as the second largest in Southeast Asia region. I thank the Sarawak Museum Department and the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak for inviting me to the press conference on the opening ceremony of the building held yesterday.

The opening ceremony will also be attended by the Right Honorable Chief Minister of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and other local dignitaries. Among the highlights of the opening ceremony will the project mapping show which will show the "mapping display" on the walls of the museum building to showcase various historical events that had happened in Sarawak. The construction of the museum started in 2014, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic the initial planning has been somewhat disrupted including the transfer of exhibit materials to its new location.

Apart from exhibiting the history of Sarawak and Borneo from pre-history to the 1970s, the new museum will also display pre-historic materials and information on the tribes in our state. On the second floor itself there is an exhibition space with the theme “Love Our River”, specially designed for children’s galleries. This building is different from the old museum because the items on display including the lights are interactive and can follow in the footsteps of visitors and so on. It is unique and will impress visitors who bring along their families and children. The public will only be able to visit the building from March 9 onwards and only 500 visitors are allowed at any one time. For the first three months visitors will not be charged any fees, and after that we will get the Cabinet’s approval on the rate of fees that should be charged or extend the entry period for free. Those who wish to come visit should register online to facilitate the visit.

Extra precautionary measures for Citrawarna Keluarga Malaysia programme at Kuching Waterfront on Feb 24 to 27

We welcome the organising of the forthcoming Citrawarna Keluarga Malaysia programme to be held at Kuching Waterfront on February 24 to 27 but with extra precautionary measures to be undertaken and to comply to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) set by Ministry of Health (MoH) and Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC). We support the recent decision made by the Federal's Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) to go ahead with the four-day event which will to help boost our local economic sectors that have been affected during this pandemic. The opening of the event is on February 26, which will be attended by the Right Honourable Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob together with our Chief Minister of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg. According to our Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, YB Dato Sri Hajah Nancy Haji Shukri,  the new measures that had been discussed and implemented is to provide seven canopied tents that can accommodate 350 people each along the Kuching Waterfront area. Once the tents are filled up by people, they will be closed.  The event area will also be barricaded so that visitors cannot just be passing through the Waterfront like they normally do at night. The Citrawarna programme is not just confined to the Waterfront and there are other activities going on at Main Bazaar and Padang Merdeka for the public to participate. Thus, members of the public are urged to take care of themselves and those around them by observing always the strict SOPs and also recommended that they do self-test before attending the programme.The finer SOP details will be released once they have been presented to National Security Council (MKN) for their approval and those who are cautious can still view the Citrawarna programme and activities at home via various social media platforms. 

Good outcomes from MYSED Appreciation, Engagement and Collaboration Nite 2022

We thank the Right Honourable Chief Minister of Sarawak, Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg for joining at last night's  "MYSED Appreciation, Engagement and Collaboration Nite 2022" organised by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) Sarawak which was held at Waterfront Hotel, Kuching. Representatives from a total of 71 sports associations and non governmental associations (NGO) including youth organizations had attended the event which featured the handing over grants from the State Government through MYSED.

Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari in his speech had mentioned Sarawak Government will continue to empower the development of Sarawak Sports Village in our efforts to make the state a sports powerhouse in the future. We thank him for giving us the assurance that the State Government will channel assistances so that the mission as envisioned by MYSED will be achieved. He had also mentioned that our future with be bright if our young generation are given the opportunity and guided direction where they are optimistic of their own future. Through sports, they will have the spirit of sportsmanship and because sports is about being resilient, then this would mean that the youths will be more committed to achieve greatness and be driven to victory. On the spirit of entrepreneurship, our Chief Minister said the youths would be more inclined to venture into such sector and it is one of the career of the future. That is why we have to prepare them and that is one of the reasons why MYSED is holding such portfolio.

Meanwhile, I have mentioned in my speech that a total of 55 youth associations and individuals in Sarawak had already benefited from the Sarawak Youth Creative Industry Fund (SYCIF). The fund was set up in 2018 and offered under MYSED which was aimed to develop the talents of the youth in arts and culture, especially music, film, drama, theatre, and more.

The fund is open to all Sarawakian youths aged between 19 to 40, be it individuals, groups and organisations and it will also encourage the development and potential of the creative and innovative youth in Sarawak. The fund is specifically for those who want to polish their skills and not for business-related purposes. Kudos to the acting Permanent Secretary of MYSED, Puan Nancy Haji Jolhie and her team from Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) as well as Sarawak State Sports Council (MSN Sarawak) for a job well done in organising last night's event.

Flashback on our recent trip to Beccari Rattan Valley (BRVT) trail in Kubah National Park, Matang Kuching

Recalling our experience of visiting the Beccari Rattan Valley (BRVT) trail last Saturday it got me excited with this historic trail again which is over 100 years old. This trail has the potential of becoming the latest tourist attraction product at Kubah National Park in Matang, Kuching because there are many types of interesting palm plants.

Visitors will be attracted by the various types of palms that can be found along the trail, some of which are larger than usual. Thanks to the state government and Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) as well as non -governmental organizations (NGOs) who had been involved in preserving this place for us and future generations. With good facilities provided by the government through the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts and SFC, this trail has the potential to attract foreign and local tourists, especially those interested in nature exploration, hiking and jungle activities.

The trail was named after Odoardo Beccari, the well know Italian researcher who started collecting plants at the age of 13. He published his first scientific article at the age of 17 and first arrived in Sarawak at the age of 22. He met Charles Darwin and also James Brooke in Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew of the UK who, by that time, had retired to England. Brooke was keen to foster scientific discovery in Sarawak as a means of showing the world and heeen couraged he encouraged Beccari to visit here, where he arrived on June 19, 1865. Beccari spent 2 years in Borneo and had travelled widely to many parts of Sarawak including Batang Lupar, Tubau, Belaga, Kanowit, Simanggang and also to the Kapuas lakes (DanauSentarum) in Dutch Borneo, to Labuan and Brunei. 

Among the collections he had documented were over 4,000 specimens mainly plants, insects, birds and animals as well as publishing his new discoveries in the botanical journal, Nuovo Giornale Botanico Italiano. In hislifetime, Beccari had published over 150 scientific papers which contributed to his reputation as a world palm specialist with many plants celebrating his name include the palm genus Beccariophoenix and an endemic Bornean durian Durio beccarianus.

Looking for ways to assist our national athletes who were recently dropped by National Sports Council (NSC)

It is a sad situation when 30 of our national athletes had been dropped recently by the National Sports Councl (NSC) and the state government through the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) and Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) would jointly look into ways on how they could be assisted.

I have mentioned to our media friends that it is a sad situation because these are our athletes. They are our hope... I don’t know what’s going on as I have yet to look into this deeper. But our ministry and the SSC will try to look into where we can assist these athletes because the competitive age for an athlete is very, very short, Sadly, among the Sarawakian athletes who had quit include national team swimmer and two-time Olympian, Welson Sim.

Some national athletes had not been given their allowances or provided with accommodation. We had also acknowledged the situation of some athletes being axed from the national programme, which I have remarked as ‘not very good’.The very least, MYSED and the SSC would reach out to the affected Sarawakians athletes. As much as possible, we will try to assist and at least, they are being looked after. Whatever politics is happening in ‘Semenanjung’ (Peninsular Malaysia), let them be, but I’m not happy about it. Welson Sim is a three-time SEA Games gold medallist and a two-time Olympian had tendered his resignation to Malaysian Swimming and the National Sports Council on Feb 7 – just a few months before the forthcoming SEA Games which is set to take place in Hanoi this May. The move made by 24-year-old athlete came as a huge shock to all of us since he had always carried Malaysia's challenge in international swimming events the past few years.

Welcoming the implementation of Malaysia-Brunei Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) initiatives

We welcome the proposed Malaysia-Brunei vaccinated travel lane (VTL) which is timely and capable of reviving and enlivening Sarawak’s tourism sector just as it was before the Covid-19 started. I have mentioned this to our media friends at the sidelines of the recent State Legislative Assembly sitting and it is good for us because Sarawak shares borders with Brunei. We would definitely benefit from the reopening of the borders and hoping such efforts can be implemented soon. The positive outcomes of the VTL will bring more Bruneians travellers into Miri just like before Covid-19 hit, most visitors to Sarawak were from Brunei.

If the borders were opened, it will surely revive Sarawak’s tourism sector just as it was before Covid19 and we are also hoping that the VTL could also be implemented with Singapore and Indonesia for the benefit of the tourism industry. We thank our right honourable Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob recent announcement on Malaysia together with Brunei had agreed in principle to implement the air and land VTL initiative for cross-border movement between the two countries. Likewise, Malaysia and Brunei had also agreed to recognise the use of "MySejahtera" and "BruHealth" applications in both countries to facilitate system integration and use by the people of both countries.

All eyes on this morning's tabling of proposed amendment to Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill, 2022

While tabling the proposed amendment to Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill, 2022 at our State Legislative Assembly (DUN), I have mentioned it is aimed to correctly reflect the status of Sarawak as different from the other States in the Federation. The proposed elevation of the designation and style of Chief Minister be re-styled to Premier will also give full effect to the amendment of the Federal Constitution. Thus, it is therefore necessary that the Constitution of the State of Sarawak, be amended accordingly.

The Parliament has passed the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2021 on 14th December 2021, which amongst others, amended Clause (2) of Article 1 of the Federal Constitution for the purpose of restoring the original provision of Clause (2) of Article 1 of the Federal Constitution during the formation of Malaysia in 1963 except the reference to Singapore. It must be noted the definition of “the Federation” in clause (2) of Article 160 was amended in accordance with the spirit of the Agreement relating to Malaysia dated 9th July, 1963. 

When Sarawak agreed to be a party in the formation of Malaysia, it was intended that Sarawak retain its status as one of the three regions (Federation of Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak) that formed the new Federation of Malaysia. This had put Sarawak as one of the three regions and is to be regarded not with the same status as the other component States in the Federation of Malaya. The special status of Sarawak needs to be reflected in the manner different from other States in the Federation.

Getting excited with the prospect of getting our Chief Minister's post as "Premier"

It seems that our local folks including the media fraternity are excited with the proposed constitutional amendment which seeks to rename the Sarawak Chief Minister’s post as ‘Premier’. 

I will be tabling the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill, 2022, at the ongoing State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on 15 February and it is essentially to put Sarawak in the right perspective in our continuous journey to reclaim its rights as an equal partner in the formation of Malaysia.

I have also mentioned to our media friends that it is also to enable us, the Sarawak Government to handle more of its autonomy. We are just fine-tuning what we should be when Malaysia was formed because during the formation, there were five signatories namely the United Kingdom, Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak. 

But after Malaysia was formed, the last two entities namely Sabah and Sarawak seemed to have diluted and become just like any of the small states that are in the Federation of Malaya. So that is why we have to put things in the right perspective.

Although our Chief Minister’s post will be renamed as ‘Premier’, there will be no significant change to his role. I have also cited the designation of “assistant ministers” which has also been proposed under the Bill to be renamed “Deputy Ministers”. The former term had previously created a lot of confusion where we had assistant ministers who went on official duties overseas but were treated as though they were “assistants” to the full ministers when they should not be. So the proper term for them should be “Deputy Minister so that everybody will know their stature.

Likewise for the Chief Minister, I don’t think we would want to be on par with Penang or Melaka. When we formed Malaysia, the signatories for the federated and unfederated Malay states, there was only one representing them. But when Malaysia was formed, the situation had changed and (they) cannot tell us that we should be alright with being on the same par with other states.

I also believed generally fellow Sarawakians will be receptive towards the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill, 2022. I won’t be able to generalise or see what is the full response yet but those that have texted me have expressed that they are very happy with the Bill that I am going to table tomorrow. I will wait until tomorrow for the full deliberation because it will be too premature for me to comment on the Bill today. As it is, I can see that Sarawakians understand and they like the Bill and the proposed change.

Not a quiet DUN Sitting and still plenty of debates to be expected there

We are not expecting a “quiet” sitting next week despite the weak opposition presence and there are still plenty of debates expected when our Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) sitting presides on 14 to 16 February. Even though there are two representatives from Democratic Action Party (DUN) namely YB Chong Chieng Jen of Padungan and YB Violet Yong Wui Wui of Pending. There will still be debates from our Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Backbenchers Club which is a good act as a check and balance of state's government policies apart from the opposition members. Of course there will be some interesting Bills will be tabled in our Sarawak's assembly and let's our Speaker to officially announce them next week. Among the Bills to be debated will be the Supplementary Bill for additional budget for the Covid-19 pandemic. 

I have mentioned to our Media friends that normally there are two DUN sittings in a year but this time round there will be three because after the sitting next week, we are going to have another one in May and the other one will be in November. The first sitting this year is mainly for the swearing in of the assemblymen who include those who are new faces at this year's DUN sitting. 

Looking forward to having international events once again when Covid19 situation had reached endemic stage

Our Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCIPAS) as well as Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (MYSED) have a number of international and tourism events to be organised in 2022 as Malaysia may consider reopening the borders by next month. I have mentioned this to our media friends recently who were actually excited with the prospects for Sarawak to stage some of our popular international events such as Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), Spartan Race and Kuching International Marathon.

I have informed them that all of those events that we had before the Covid-19 lockdown two years ago including conferences, may be revived but in compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOP). Of course all of us are hoping for the Covid19 situation to further improve and for our country to enter the endemic stage. Since the easing of travel restrictions last year, the number of visitors arriving in Sarawak had increased and now we can see that things are gradually getting back to normal. 

For the record, my ministry were allocated RM40 million by our State Government in the past 2 years for the organising and staging of tourism related events including international sports events, conventions and conferences but the Covid19 had hindered us from doing it. It is a big budget allocation but unfortunately we had to return the funds to the State government because staging the list of tourism related and international events are unable to be implemented.  

Welcoming the suggestion to reopen of Malaysia's borders by March 2022

Earlier today I have mentioned with our Media friends that we welcome the proposed reopening of Malaysia’s international borders by March that include non-mandatory quarantine for visitors. This will  essentially hasten our National Recovery Plan (NRP) and also boost Sarawak’s Post Covid19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS2030).

The suggestions and recommendations made by National Recovery Council (NRC) augur well for the speedy recovery of Malaysia’s various economic sectors which was badly impacted by the Covid19 pandemic especially the tourism and hospitality industry.

Sarawak was not sparred and it had lost billions from revenue streams from tourism and hospitality industry which in the past years had contributed to the local economy and the livelihood of those working in the downstream industry.  

What had been mentioned and suggested by NRC’s chairman, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin were welcomed by industry players all over because the positive impacts from the reopening of our borders will boost our economic recovery efforts. Our people will also gain the benefits simply because there will be jobs creation when the tourism and hospitality sector is on the rebound.

We are talking about our local folks who are looking forward to serving foreign tourists who are eager to spend their tourism dollars after years of not being able to enjoy travelling and vacationing in holiday destinations such as Sarawak and Malaysia.    

Sarawak’s medical tourism industry is also set to benefit from the reopening of our borders because previously, the promising revenue stream from such sector had encouraged the establishments of private medical institutions and hospitals in Kuching, Sibu, Miri and Bintulu. 

It is interesting to note that the Association of Private Hospital Malaysia (APHM) had recently mentioned that medical tourism in our country had contributed RM1.7 billion to the economy back in 2019 before the outbreak of Covid9 pandemic in 2020.

To facilitate the reopening of our borders, we must educate and instil awareness among potential visitors on the need to strictly adhere to all standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and Sarawak’s State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) before any entry application is accepted. There must concerted efforts by the industry players concerned to ensure only fully vaccinated tourists and visitors with booster dose where the risks of Covid-19 infections are mitigated and avoided.

Giving all of our support towards Sarawak's Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS2030)

It was a great event and the launching of the action and implementation plan of Sarawak's Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) by our Right Honourable Chief Minister last Monday was the step forward in achieving our aspiration to be a thriving society by year 2030. Even though the PCDS2030 was launched on 22 July last year but our local stakeholders have already been working closely together in getting everyone on board. Ultimately, the PCDS2030 is aiming to get our local folks to enjoy economic prosperity, social inclusivity and a sustainable environment driven by data and innovation.

Like what our Chief Minister had mentioned in his opening address, the Rakyat had given us a big mandate in the recent State Election to implement the plan and the implementation of PCDS2030 is the testimony of our GPS government’s commitment to honour the pledge. Together with the Chief Minister's wisdom and leadership, we had always think of the best way to improve the socio-economic status of our local folks and for this reason, all initiatives in PCDS 2030 are meant for the Rakyat. Thus, we are aiming to accelerate our infrastructure development to improve the standard of living, to boost growth of our local economy so that it provides business and job opportunities. We are also aiming to train our people to be resourceful and increase their income level so that the human capacity and competency are competitive as well productive. Insyallah, our common aspiration to have a sustainable digitalised economy will be achieved together in line with the development agenda of the state's GPS Government.