Sarawak on track to be a high-income state by 2030, says Abang Johari

 

Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg said Sarawak was generating a new stream of revenue of RM3.2 billion each year from the sales tax imposed on petroleum products.

KUCHING: Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg is confident Sarawak can achieve a developed and high-income state status by 2030 despite the dire consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The state’s political stability and strong economic fundamentals, with policies structured and realigned after Covid-19, are among the key factors keeping the state on track,” he said in his Christmas and New Year message today.

He said the recent signing of the Commercial Settlement Agreement (CSA), between Sarawak and Petronas, gave added confidence for the state to derive more revenue from its oil and gas resources, apart from the 5% royalty that translated to between RM700 million and RM800 million yearly that it received.

CSA had also allowed Sarawak to participate actively in the upstream and downstream activities of its oil and gas resources through Petros, the state’s oil and gas company, which made Sarawak the only place in Malaysia where onshore oil mining would be revived.

“Despite criticism from certain quarters, the CSA gives a better deal for Sarawak and reaffirms the state’s rights over its oil and gas resources and the validity of the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958. We must work together to develop Sarawak into a digitalised economy, leveraging on our rich natural resources and human talent.”

He said Sarawak was also generating a new stream of revenue of RM3.2 billion each year from the state sales tax imposed on petroleum products.

Abang Johari said it was sad that Christians would not be able to celebrate Christmas as they used to, due to restrictions imposed during this time of Covid-19.

“With the travel restrictions imposed, I am aware that some staying outside Sarawak now, may not be able to return to their hometowns, kampungs, longhouses or villages for fear it will cause another spike in infections.

“On behalf of the state government, I sincerely hope that all who are affected understand the need for us to be strict with the SOPs,” he said. - FMT