THE late former head of state Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud paved the way for Sarawak’s early adoption of its renewable energy policy when he initiated the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) 16 years ago.
Datuk Ibrahim Baki (GPS-Satok) said this provided the backbone for Sarawak’s future economic and development plans where its components would later be a part of the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“The renewable initiative was his legacy, now continued and enhanced by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg who pioneered Sarawak’s green economy with emphasis on hydrogen, solar, cascading dams and biomass among others,” he said.
He was debating in support of the motion of appreciation to the former TYT today.
Through SCORE, Ibrahim said, the central region of Sarawak saw an upturn in fortunes with the investments and implementation of high impact projects as well as job opportunities to locals.
“The spin-off also included the setting up of three agencies under RECODA, namely the Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA), Highland Development Agency (HDA) and Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA).
“These agencies have proven to be successful and the bottom-up development model whereby planning involved feedback from local communities have been effective.
“This was to the extent that other development agencies were set up for the areas of Samarahan, Greater Kuching, Sri Aman, Betong, Rajang Delta and in Rascom Area,” he said.
With his background growing up in a community made up of people from different colour and creed, Ibrahim said this shaped the late Taib’s moderate views on religion.
The Satok assemblyman said Taib championed tolerance and mutual respect among the people in Sarawak whereby unity is the fabric of the society.
“It was on this very principle that the late Taib was offered to lead the Pertubuhan Kebajikan Islam Malaysia (PERKIM) as the president, taking over from our first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.
“He also helmed the Regional Islamic Da’wah Council of Southeast Asia and the Pacific (PISEAP). His contributions and influence towards the development of Islam saw him being appointed as a life member of the Muslim World League and being the only Malaysian to do so,” he said.
In the Sarawak context, Ibrahim added that the late Taib displayed inclusiveness in his policies, ensuring the needs of the non-Muslim communities are met, stressing the values of fairness for all his collaborations with other religious bodies for the betterment of all Sarawakians.
