MIRI: Despite the fact that government projects and the oil palm sector are rapidly increasing, the state still faces a shortage of manpower, which is considered to be hampering related activities, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Abang Johari, who spoke at the Raya-Gawai 2022 event and the launch of Taman Jelita off Taman Tunku Phase 2 Integrated Community Centre (ICC) yesterday, said that these industries are suffering from a manpower shortage as most of the locals do not want to work in the construction sector, such as the Pan Borneo Highway project.
“We could not rely on Indonesian immigrants to meet the demand as they shifting to work in their own country following the relocation of their capital from Jakarta to Nusantara in Kalimantan.
“I’ve also received requests from oil palm companies looking to hire more Indonesian workers since they don’t have enough.
“However, we could not keep relying on their employees to work on our plantation.
“I believe Sarawakians, with a population of 2.8 million people, must upgrade their technical and technological skills in order to tackle this problem (manpower shortage),” he pointed out.
On the other hand, the premier is concerned about Sarawak’s declining birth rate.
“I’m hopeful that our birth rate rises, because with more young people, our population will increase faster and we will be able to meet Sarawak’s employment need,” he stressed.
Also present were Abang Johari’s wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni , Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister of Transport Datuk Sri Lee Kim Shin, Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development Dr Ripin Lamat, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil, chief political secretary to the Premier Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman and Miri Mayor Adam Yii.
