SIBU: Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said Malaysia will become stronger in the unity of its people and regions when the peninsula, Sarawak and Sabah develop together.
"Having been in the Federation of Malaysia for the past 61 years, there is no denying that Sarawak has changed much since then," he said his address at the state-level National Day celebration here today.
However, he said it cannot be denied that many things have not yet been achieved in terms of economic development and infrastructure.
The premier said Sarawak will continue to work hard to develop and add value to its resources, adding that in this direction, Sarawak has a clear and concrete policy as contained in the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCSDS 2030).
He said under the approach, Sarawak will become a developed and progressive state, socially inclusive and sustainable in terms of environmental protection.
He thanked the federal government for its concern over the aspirations of the people of Sarawak, who want to enjoy the progress experienced by those in Peninsular Malaysia.
He also thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the previous prime ministers for the support given to Sarawak's efforts to obtain more revenue from its natural resources such as oil and gas.
"I am confident that the federal government will continue to be concerned about Sarawak's efforts to increase the state's revenue through initiatives such as carbon storage with a more open policy," he said.
On the National Day celebration, he said the past Sarawak leaders had agreed to merge with other regions to form Malaysia because they did not want to see Sarawak dominated by other powers and ideologies other than what had been formed and practiced when it was under British rule, including its political and administrative system.
"However, I believe that what was the important and sincere consideration of the leaders at that time such as Tun Jugah anak Barieng, Datuk Bandar Abang Mustapha, Tan Sri Ling Beng Siew and Tun Abang Openg was that Sarawak should take steps towards progress as what had happened in Malaya at that time," he said.