KUCHING (Aug 28): The impressive growth of Sarawak’s income from RM6 billion six years ago to RM14 billion at present came from exercising the state’s rights, said Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

“It is a sin to take away the rights of others and those who had taken them should return them,” the Premier pointed out during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new RM70 million Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) complex at Mile 12 Jalan Kuching-Serian today.

The Finance and New Economy Minister explained this was part of the state’s roadmap for economic development and reiterated his wish for Sarawak to emulate Bavaria, Germany.

“Bavaria is a progressive region that contributes immensely to the growth of German economy,” he said.

“Germany now has become an important country in the European Union in terms of their economic growth. And so Sarawak should also be like Bavaria, becoming an important region for the economy of Malaysia.”

The Sarawak government is continuing to pursue its oil and gas rights under the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 (OMO) after the lifting of the Emergency Ordinance and the repeal of the Internal Security Act 1960 as well as under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Meanwhile, Abang Johari tasked Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), Kuching South City Council (MBKS), Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS), and Serian Municipal Council (MPS) to facilitate seamless development for Sarawak’s southern region.

He said the local authorities could do this by synchronising programmes for greater future development in the region.

“The implementation of future development, to be done in phases, would take into account smart city and sustainable green-friendly principles,” he said.

“What should exude from any smart city would be clean air or those that are not affecting health of its residents. What causes people to fall sick is generally carbon dioxide. When we breathe, coming in would be unhealthy particles from exhausts of vehicles.”

He explained that this was his reasoning for focussing on hydrogen production.

“The city must manage its traffic flow and counter traffic jams all over towards reducing carbon dioxide emissions,” he said, pointing out this should be the benchmark of a smart city.

He said RM1.1 billion would be allocated for the repair of old pipes, with some underneath roads, in the region.

He also advised councils to always think outside the box in executing their programmes by not cutting down trees in strategic areas, but uprooting and relocate or selling them when possible.

Among those present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil; Deputy Minister for Transport Datuk Dr Jerip Susil; MPP chairman Tan Kai; Batu Kitang assemblyman Datuk Lo Khere Chiang; and Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap.