SARAWAK has tabled a six-pronged 2019 state budget which Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg said is aimed at generating higher economic growth and achieving more balanced economic development in the state.

The six key strategies for higher growth are, to make the state development based and rural focused, continue the state’s development agenda, make digital economy the key pillar of economic transformation, continue with its investment drive for economic growth, facilitate in making the private sector the main engine of economic growth, and strengthen the effectiveness of its service delivery system.

Abang Johari said allocating 76%, or RM9.07 billion, of the state’s budget for development and only 24% for operating expenditure is reflective of the state government’s commitment to intensify the implementation of programmes and projects to further accelerate the development of the state’s rural areas.

In comparison, the state only allocated RM2.982 billion in 2017 and RM3.062 billion in 2018 for development spending.

“Our continual effort in rural development is vital towards achieving our development objective in opening up greater opportunities in the rural and more remote areas for the economic prosperity of our rural community,” he said.

The RM9.07 billion allocation, said the chief minister, is the biggest allocation in the history of Sarawak.

“These development programmes will definitely open up larger areas and create more jobs and business opportunities, hence ensuring that the state economy becomes more vibrant and resilient which eventually will bring economic prosperity to all Sarawakians,” he said.

He said his pet project, digital economy, will continue to be one of the key thrusts of the state’s future economic plans.

“The state government is committed to continuing with the implementation of the Sarawak digital economy initiatives to maximise digital technology and digitalisation to boost the state economy.” – November 5, 2018.