SIBU: The youth of Sarawak must rise to the occasion, create opportunities, and become active agents of change in the state’s development journey, says Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek.
He said Sarawak is now guided by the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which aspires to elevate the state to high-income status by the end of this decade.
He said the strategy, which focuses on six key sectors — manufacturing, commercial agriculture, tourism, forestry, mining, and social services — offers young people the opportunity to play a leading role in shaping the state’s future.
“The state’s focus on digital transformation therefore is the time to turn passion into profession, creativity into enterprise, and technology into global connectivity.
“Whether through promoting local products online, showcasing tourism on social media, or applying smart farming — these are all part of digital progress,” he said.
He said this at the swearing-in ceremony of the 29th JCI Mandarin Sibu and 10th JCI Sibu Jaya board members last night (Apr 12).
Meanwhile, on the installation, Chieng said that the occasion marked not only the start of a new term but also a reaffirmation of Junior Chamber International’s (JCI’s) commitment to proactive engagement and meaningful change.
“JCI has long been a platform for nurturing active citizens capable of making a positive impact — socially, economically, and in policy-making.
“In this new era, it is encouraging to see youth in Sibu taking real action and writing their own impactful chapters,” he said.
Chieng also encouraged JCI members to leverage the organisation’s platform for continuous learning, innovation, and action.
“Leadership is not just about public speaking. It is about influencing others and driving real change,” he added.
He also expressed confidence in the newly elected board members, adding that both JCI Mandarin Sibu and JCI Sibu Jaya will continue to be vibrant platforms for youth leadership and local development.
“As the Bukit Assek assemblyman, I will continue to secure more resources and platforms to help our youth thrive — not just locally, but nationally and globally,” he said.
At the ceremony, Alexander Ling was sworn in as the new president of JCI Mandarin Sibu, succeeding Lucas Kong, while Daphne Ling took over from Christopher Ling as president of JCI Sibu Jaya.
