Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg has rolled out a slew of programmes and plans - some of which have already been initiated and others still in the pipeline - to boost the state’s economy.

The chief minister also assured the business community of the government’s willingness to listen to the private sector and to do away with unnecessary bureaucratic processes and procedures that hinder growth in the commercial sector.

Abang Johari Openg said this in a speech read out by the Local Government and Housing Minister Dr Sim Kui Hian during a Chinese New Year dinner hosted by the Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sarawak (ACCCIS) in Kuching on Friday night.

He said: “The duty of the government is to create a system for the business sector to thrive”, adding “it is the duty of the state government to protect the rights and interests of the people at large, especially consumers and workers.”

According to him, when considering changes to procedures and policies, the government has to weigh everything carefully so that no one is shortchanged or the people’s interest and welfare jeopardised.

He said Sarawak’s economy needs to be transformed in line with the worldwide trend of migrating to digital technology, adding that economic policies were now founded upon the digitalisation of the public and private sectors.

“Our private sector has to migrate towards digitalisation of their operations. The government will upgrade Internet infrastructure and roll out ‘Big Data’ very soon to provide an ecosystem suitable for the growth of a digital economy.

“The cost is very high but the government is willing to invest in order to reap the benefits in the long run.”

Abang Johari also said that the transportation system had to be transformed, and there are plans to build a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system to connect places across Greater Kuching.

On the economy, he said the state aims to increase its revenue through initiatives such as the recent setting up of its own petroleum company Petros, an upcoming methanol plant and other chemical facilities in Bintulu, the 10 percent stake in LNG Train 9 and up to 25 percent share in liquefied natural gas (LNG) operations.

“I also see a lot of potential in the food production sector, with a view of making Sarawak a net exporter of food in 10 to 20 years’ time. I have come up with the concept of an agriculture park where land can be leased to genuine entrepreneurs.”

He said the first agriculture park will be set up in Sarikei and the next one probably in Samarahan.

“I know I can always count on our private sector to enable our transformation programme to succeed.”

Meanwhile Sim, in his own remarks, called for unity among people in the business community giving his assurance that issues and problems raised by ACCCIS would be brought up and forwarded to the appropriate quarters.

“Unity is fundamental for a stronger Sarawak. Come the next general election, Sarawakians must be united and street-smart.

“Please, support the chief minister in the quest for greater autonomy for Sarawak, including in the financial (sector), through various initiatives, which hopefully would increase the state revenue to RM6 billion a year,” he added.