SIBU (Oct 6): Sarawak is set to become Southeast Asia’s emerging green energy powerhouse, thanks to the innovations spearheaded by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas emphasised this during his speech at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) new youth wing’s welcoming dinner at leading hotel here last night.

He highlighted Sarawak’s impressive economic growth, with revenue increasing from RM6.7 billion in 2021 to RM11 billion in 2022, and further to RM13.3 billion in 2023.

“This year, it looks like we can surpass RM13 billion. As you can see, Sarawak has been recognised by the World Bank as a high-income region in 2022 and 2023 continuously.

“And that is the success of our development programme in Sarawak,” said Uggah, who is PBB deputy president.

He further noted that during the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) meeting in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in one of his remarks said Sarawak would emerge as an economic giant in Malaysia.

Uggah mentioned that Sarawak is also recognised as the most peaceful region, highlighting the strong unity among its people.

Touching on Sarawak’s infrastructure development, Uggah said: “We have a good highway (network) and are in the midst of building coastal and second trunk roads.

“Additionally, we are building 16 bridges costing RM5 billion.”

He pointed out that Sarawak’s poverty rate has dropped from 47 per cent in 1970 to 10 per cent last year.

Uggah also highlighted that Abang Johari is internationally known as a spokesman on climate change and green energy, having been invited to give talks in various countries worldwide.

Among those present were PBB vice president Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, Youth chief Miro Simuh and Women Wing’s deputy chief Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali and the welcoming dinner organising chairman Reily Repai Maringai, who is also the chairman of the protem committee for new youth wing for N.64 Baleh.