KUCHING (Sept 16): Sarawak continues to make progress and remains competitive in various fields to strengthen its economy throughout the 61 years in the Federation of Malaysia, says Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

According to him, the state’s current focus is on fostering a sustainable economy based on new resources and digital economy.

“This new approach is based on the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which has three main policies that emphasises on economic prosperity, social inclusion and environmental sustainability as the main foundation towards making Sarawak a high-income developed region by 2030.

“Alhamdulillah (Praise be for Allah), Sarawak is moving forward with her existing strengths and notable achievements, having been recognised by the World Bank as a high-income region last year due to the state’s strong income generation.

“I sincerely hope that Sarawak’s economic development will continue to progress rapidly and that the harmony among the people of various races and religions will endure in the future, with the spirit of ‘Segulai Sejalai’ (Togetherness) built on the foundation of mutual respect,” he said in his Malaysia Day message.

Abang Johari said Malaysia Day, celebrated on Sept 16 each year, commemorated the formation of the Federation of Malaysia when Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore (before its departure in 1965), agreed to unite in 1963 through the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“This year’s chosen theme, ‘Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka’ for both Malaysia Day and National Day, serves as a symbolic call for all Malaysians to strengthen and embrace the true meaning of independence in the soul and identity of every citizen who loves their country,” he said.

The Malaysia Day celebration at the Sarawak level takes place in Sri Aman today.

“I would like to congratulate all the organising committee members of the state-level Malaysia Day Celebration 2024 led by Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister and minister-in-charge Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, who is also the minister-in-charge of the event, who have all worked hard to ensure that the celebration is a lively success,” he said.

In wishing all Sarawakians a Happy Malaysia Day, Abang Johari said: “May our unity remain strong, with a high spirit of camaraderie as we work together to advance Sarawak and the nation, and to nurture a Madani generation with a strong sense of identity and unwavering loyalty to our homeland.”

Meanwhile in his Malaysia Day message, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan expressed appreciation to the federal government for the devolution of powers in important areas such as education and infrastructure development.

“For example, Bintulu Port now belongs to the Sarawak government as a result of joint efforts to reach the agreement on the discussion table.

“This also goes to show that Sarawak has always been recognised as a regional partner in Malaysia.

“Progress requires us to move together, guided by the principles of justice and rights enshrined in the Federal Constitution, the MA63 as well as the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report.”

Awang Tengah also stressed about the importance of all Malaysians to preserve racial harmony and foster close relationships among one another.

“Malaysians can, through open dialogues, reach consensus for the common good.”

Adding on, Awang Tengah said the ‘Jiwa Merdeka’ (Spirit of Independence) slogan should remind Malaysians about independence not merely to mean freedom from physical colonialism, ‘but also the colonialism of the mind’.

“We must be free from influences that deviate from the Eastern cultural values that we hold fast to.

“Today, we commemorate the historic day that united Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak under one federation, Malaysia.”