KUCHING: Brace yourself for challenges ahead as Sarawak is entering a more demanding phase of development.
This is the advice from the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud (pic) in his Christmas message yesterday.
“As we know, Sarawak is operating in a world which is highly dynamic and volatile and demands the state to continuously broaden its economic base, enhance its knowledge, upgrade its skills, be more efficient, productive and innovative in order to remain competitive.
“Therefore, we must remain pervasive in the culture of good governance and uphold the highest level of integrity. At the same time,we must be agile and vigilant in facing the emerging external challenges arising from the global and regional competitions and the increasing volatility in the world economy,” he said.
Taib added the people must continue to give their undivided support to the government to ensure that all the projects under the Rural Transformation Initiatives, Pan Borneo Highway and SCORE were implemented and completed on time.
“The continued efforts in rural development should be able to open up greater opportunities for the economic prosperity of the rural community.
“It should also provide more good facilities and amenities for young people to develop their talents and promote greater innovation and entrepreneurship among them in the era of digital economy,” he said.
Taib added that Sarawak was looking ahead to the year 2030 not only to attain the status of a developed state with high income economy but to achieve greater prosperity for the people, who were living in small groups over a wide area throughout the length and breadth of the state.
“As the new year is coming and the spirit of the Yuletide is already in the air, I wish to offer my traditional message of Merry Christmas and happy and joyous tiding to all Christians in Sarawak,” he said.
On the season of Christmas, Taib added that it was also the time for the people to reflect on their performance as they heralded the new year.
“We take great pride that Sarawak has been able to achieve the present level of development which reflects the resilience and the strength of the people, our social unity and political stability.
“During this occasion, let us remind ourselves of positive development and preserve the good relationship between all the ethnic and religious groups in the state and country.
“Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, may God the Almighty continue to protect us and may the new year bring the state to a higher level of development and progress as planned and may the people continue to live in prosperity and achieve greater success in whatever fields of their endeavours,” he said.
