SARAWAK’S progress must be seen in daily services, jobs and stronger protection of state rights.
Kota Sentosa assemblyman, Wilfred Yap Sau Sin, said Sarawak’s next phase of development should be matched by better public infrastructure, greater accountability, and continued efforts to protect Sarawak’s constitutional rights.
“Sarawakians wanted results, including roads that do not collapse after heavy rain, drains that function properly, affordable housing, quality healthcare, clean and reliable water supply and jobs for their children,” he added.
He said this in his debate speech on the motion of appreciation to the Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar’s address at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
He stressed that economic transformation would mean very little if the people continued to struggle with unresolved local problems.
“In Kota Sentosa, drainage failures, flash floods, sinkholes and road subsidence were long-standing structural issues accumulated over many years.
“These issues were being addressed systematically through cooperation with the Majlis Bandaraya Kuching Selatan, Majlis Perbandaran Padawan, Public Works Department, Drainage and Irrigation Department and relevant agencies,” he said.
He added that retaining walls damaged by monsoon erosion were being repaired, drainage upgrading works were being accelerated, and sinkholes and uneven roads in commercial zones were being rehabilitated.
“Traffic flow improvements were also being studied, while water supply disruptions and water quality complaints were being escalated to the relevant authorities,” he stressed.
On another issue, Yap noted that Sarawak’s revenues had reached historic levels, consistently exceeding RM13 billion annually, supported by strategic economic management, energy reform, resource control and investor confidence.
“At the same time, the industrial transformation in Samalaju and Bintulu is undeniable. Global investors are not coming to Sarawak out of charity. They are investing because Sarawak offers political stability, policy consistency, green energy capacity, and long-term strategic planning,” he said.
He said these investments were creating thousands of engineering, technical and high-skilled jobs for young Sarawakians.
Yap added that Sarawak was building an economic ecosystem capable of bringing talent home, after decades of its brightest students being forced to leave because opportunities were concentrated elsewhere.
“However, accountability must accompany economic success. If we celebrate approved investments publicly, then we must also provide periodic updates on implementation status, job creation outcomes, SME participation and project timelines.
“Transparency strengthens confidence. Transparency improves governance. Transparency ensures that economic growth translates into meaningful opportunities for ordinary Sarawakians,” he said.
