BY ALVERDTEKOSTER ANYAP & SARAH HAFIZAH CHANDRA
KUCHING: Sarawak’s strong financial position has attracted the local banking sector in the country day by day, said Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
According to him, Sarawak’s ability to manage finances and plan the economy is proven when more local banks had approached the state government recently to cooperate in trade.
“Tomorrow, there will be more people coming to see me…Many of them are coming to us which gives a sign that our economy is good and sustainable,” he said when speaking at the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Backbenchers Club dinner at Pullman Hotel here on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, he said that the state was also in the eyes of the world when he received an invitation to share aspects of Sarawak’s governance.
He said the invitation was included in the Fifth Malaysian Banking and Finance Summit 2023 in Kuala Lumpur.
“In the seminar, the participants asked me how Sarawak can generate a high income and they do not doubt our ability to emerge as a major economic power in Malaysia,” he said.
Commenting on the state’s income, Abang Johari revealed that in the first quarter of this year, as of April, Sarawak had collected RM5 billion in revenue.
“Based on this first quarter figure, we hope that by the end of the year we will have calculated an optimistic revenue figure.
“I expect that amount to continue to project to reach the target of more than RM11 billion this year. If we have the money, then we can do many things for Sarawak and our people,” he said.
He added that financial institutions trusted the Sarawak government and believed Sarawak would be the new power of Malaysia.
“They want to provide banking facilities to help Sarawak and our small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Banks are coming to us, which means our economy is improving.
“The implication is, if you have money, then you can talk and you can deliver what people want.
“The confidence level of the people will be there because we deliver it. What is important, there must be no fight between us.
“That is what we achieved, and we must take care of our unity under GPS. Let GPS be Sarawak’s protector,” Abang Johari said.
Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, GPS chief whip Datuk Ibrahim Baki and GPS Backbenchers Night organising chairman Lo Khere Chiang.
