KUCHING (July 22): Sarawakians can look forward to a bigger presence and participation in the overall Malaysian economy through the new initiatives commissioned by the Sarawak government.

In presenting his outlook, Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations president Dato Richard Wee said through these initiatives, Sarawak should record revenue increases through new economic ventures, as well as ensuring social inclusivity and harmony among the people.

“We hope that Sarawak would become the wealthiest and also the most advanced; that a lot of other states would be able to emulate and follow our way of bringing Malaysia forward.

“And then, we also need to make sure that in the course of doing so, we could create a bigger middle-class society,” he said in an interview conducted in connection with Sarawak Day.

He cited the recent successful takeover of the Bintulu Port as a ‘big achievement’, while expressing hope that the shares acquisition of Affin Bank would be completed as soon as possible.

“We also hope to try to have less politicking, petty politics, racial politics – all these things that are happening somewhere else, would not come over to Sarawak,” he added.

Wee also observed that under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, there had been an even more concerted effort to claim back the rights of Sarawak as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“I think the increased revenue that he (Abang Johari) was able to try to generate for Sarawak in the past year was beneficial. I think those are the significant things that have made all the Sarawakians feel really proud.

“I think this is the time where Sarawakians feel really proud to be Sarawakians. I think there are a lot of other Malaysians who are also very envious of what we have achieved and what we are doing.

“I think over and above that, we Sarawakians traditionally have our own culture, our own racial harmony, our own heritage. We are able to live under that kind of environment, which many in other places in Malaysia are unable to enjoy,” he said.

Wee also said Abang Johari’s leadership had always been very open about wanting to create a fair and just society for everyone.

This included Wee’s appointment as a board member of Yayasan Sarawak, which Wee hailed as ‘a clear indication’ to Sarawakians that ‘the foundation’s scholarships are open for applications to everyone in Sarawak irrespective of race and creed’.

“It (scholarship) is not just for any particular race. Anyone who qualifies with their academic results, they are always welcome to apply,” he added.

Wee also pointed out Sarawak as the first state in the whole of Malaysia to recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) – an examination for senior student in independent Chinese secondary schools – and also the first to allow the UEC holders to join the civil service.

“Being fair, he (Abang Johari) also helps all the mission schools and all the Chinese independent schools, because he believes that education is very important to everyone.

“So, I think those are the things of which; again, we feel proud.”

Wee also believed that Sarawak would benefit from the economic spillover once Indonesia had relocate its capital city to Nusantara, on the island of Borneo.

“And there are many initiatives, whether that is going through to the Indonesian side, through Bintulu, or through Miri, which is the nearest route to get there.

“And when it is all completed (Nusantara becoming Indonesia’s capital), it will have a very major impact into Sarawak, whether political or economically. Because I think they (Indonesia) would need Sarawak to be working closely with them.

“So we are optimistic that with such development, Sarawak would be able to leverage on that kind of economic spillover,” he said.

Meanwhile, Wee also spoke about the Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations, which represents more than 500 Chinese associations throughout the state.

“We are now busy with organising the 39th National Chinese Cultural Festival, which is being hosted in Sarawak this year.

“In conjunction with this big event, a torch run is taking place, which started in Limbang on June 22. It is now proceeding to Miri, Bintulu, Mukah, Kapit, Sibu, Sarikei and Sri Aman, before reaching Kuching on Sept 13.

“The grand event will be on Sept 15, where the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to officiate at the event, with the Sarawak Premier also in attendance.”