MIRI: Sarawak’s commitment to racial harmony, youth empowerment and strategic economic transformation is laying the foundation for Miri’s emergence as a modern and prosperous regional city, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said today (May 10).
Speaking at the BEM On The Rock’s Mother’s Day celebration here, Lee said Sarawak’s multicultural society continued to be the state’s greatest strength, allowing communities of different races and religions to coexist peacefully while contributing collectively to development.
“Our diversity is our strength, not our weakness,” he said.
“In Sarawak, people from different races and religions can sit together, eat together and live in harmony. This spirit of unity is what makes Sarawak special.”
Lee said the state government remained committed to preserving religious harmony through the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR), which provides financial assistance to non-Muslim religious institutions throughout Sarawak.
He said the initiative reflected the Sarawak Government’s inclusive approach in ensuring all communities were supported equally.
On education and human capital development, Lee said the Sarawak Government’s implementation of free tertiary education beginning this year was aimed at producing a highly skilled workforce capable of driving the state’s future economy.
He urged young Sarawakians to pursue higher education and technical skills, particularly in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, engineering and aerospace.
According to him, Curtin University Malaysia in Miri was considering the introduction of an AI engineering programme to meet future industry demands.
“Sarawak needs its own experts, engineers and scientists to lead the state forward,” he said.
Lee also highlighted the state government’s plans to develop a new aerospace industry ecosystem through AirBorneo, which he described as a catalyst for creating high income employment opportunities for Sarawakians.
He said the aviation and aerospace sectors would generate demand for aircraft engineers, maintenance specialists and technical professionals, offering attractive salaries and long-term career prospects.
Beyond human capital development, Lee pointed to a series of major infrastructure and urban development projects currently reshaping Miri.
Among them is the long-awaited expansion of Miri Airport, which he said had finally gained momentum after years of delays.
The project is expected to improve connectivity and strengthen Miri’s position as the northern gateway to Sarawak.
Lee said Miri had also undergone significant transformation over the years, with improved roads, utilities and urban facilities contributing to a higher quality of life for residents.
He noted that the city was continuing to attract investments in tourism, education and commercial development, while projects such as the Kenyalang Convention and Exhibition Centre (KCEC) in Kenyalang Smart City (KSC) were expected to further enhance Miri’s profile as a business events and tourism destination.
“Miri today is very different from the past. Development has reached many areas and the city continues to progress,” he said.
Reflecting on his childhood, Lee recounted how he once walked 45 minutes to school along muddy roads in his village, describing the hardships faced by many families during that era.
“We came from humble beginnings, but we had dreams to improve our lives and contribute back to society,” he said.
At the close of the event, Lee announced a RM10,000 allocation for the church’s youth movement and a further RM20,000 to assist with rental payments for the church premises.
The event was attended by church leaders, including senior pastor Andy Anyi, alongside members of the congregation and community representatives.
