KAPIT: Sarawak will continue collaborating with neighbouring countries to ensure the state becomes an integrated economic entity within Asia.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that becoming an integrated economic entity within Asia is vital to foster cooperation with neighbouring nations such as Brunei and Indonesia.
“As we know, we have already invested in East Kalimantan. While we have Bakun here, we are also working there alongside Indonesia to produce hydroelectric power. We hold a 35 per cent stake there as a result of our collaboration with the Indonesian government.
“With this partnership with our neighbours, Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam, we can establish an integrated economic entity within the Asean framework,” he said.
He said this in his speech at the 100th Anniversary of the Peace-Making Ceremony which was officiated by the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, at Fort Sylvia here today (Dec 8).
He said with Malaysia formally assuming the Asean Chairmanship next year, all can work together to develop the island of Borneo.
Meanwhile, on the 100th Anniversary Peace-Making Ceremony, he said the event was highly significant and carried valuable lessons.
“With this peace-making, we can see how Kapit has transformed over time. In the past, Kapit was a remote area that was difficult to access except by river, which could take a long time.
“Today, Kapit can be reached from Sibu in just over an hour, not by express boat anymore but by express roads. In the past, traffic congestion was not an issue in Kapit, but now it is, to the extent that local leaders are requesting smart traffic lights here,” he said.
He stressed that development in the region would not stop but would continue until all areas in Sarawak are connected, with the Kayan, Kelabit, and Orang Ulu communities integrated with the Iban community in Kapit.
“We uphold the spirit of the 1924 peace-making ceremony to unite our communities. This means that the entire Sarawak will be closely connected, starting from Kapit and spreading across the state,” he said.
Also present were Wan Junaidi’s wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, Work Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Nanta’s wife Datin Seri Angelina Celestine Ujang, Tourism, Minister of Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Abdul Karim’s wife Datin Seri Zuraini Abdul Jabbar.
