KUCHING: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian has called for Sarawak to be recognised not for its wealth but for the values it upholds.
Dr Sim, who is also the Minister of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government, stressed that Sarawak should be respected for its leadership, governance, and multicultural values.
“We want all Malaysians to look up to us not for our wealth, but for their respect towards our game, leadership, way of doing things, multicultural values, and the many principles they aspire to have.
“But moving forward, Sarawak, built on past efforts and progress, is entering a new era of nation-building. One that is fundamentally different.
“This phase of development naturally brings focus to discussions on the state’s budget,” he said this during Angkatan Zaman Mansang (AZAM) Sarawak Chinese New Year Dinner 2025 at a hotel here, last night (Feb 8).
He added that Sarawak’s budget for this year stands at RM15.8 bill, an amount equivalent to 15 years of Penang’s budget or five years of Selangor’s.
“Despite this, we are still behind, and we need substantial resources to drive our development.
“A lot of money is required. But, four years of Sarawak equals 60 years of Penang government money. That means we have the ability to capitalise on our financial strength and surpass others,” he said.
He noted that this is a crucial time for shifting mindsets in nation-building, as Sarawak’s prosperity and financial resources are no longer in question.
“The question is whether Sarawak can sustain it or not. And to sustain it, we must start training our people to not just to seek jobs but develop skills that contribute to Sarawak’s growth.
“It’s not just about money anymore. Sarawak 2030 is about being progressive and smart, about being a place people look up to,” he said.
