CONFERENCE
BEM ROADSHOW 2017
Opening Speech by YAB Datuk Amar Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Chief Minister, Sarawak on July 4, 2017
I
am very delighted and honoured to be given the opportunity today, to officiate the Board of Engineers Malaysia Road Show for 2017 in Kuching. It is a rare opportunity indeed to be surrounded by so many engineers from Sarawak whom I consider to be the prime movers for the development of the state, considering that Sarawak is moving at a fast pace in enhancing our industry and infrastructure with the latest technology.
From the national perspective, I must also record my appreciation to the engineering community for their massive contribution to nation building, from the time when the British colonial administration left Malaysia. For Sarawak, the footprints of engineers are found all over the state; from the vast network of roads, ports, airports, water and electrical power supply, to telecommunications and many other hi-tech services which are essential for the development of a state.
Being a big state with almost the size of the whole of Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak has set a target of a complete road network by 2030 for the state to be fully connected. The Pan Borneo Highway project
Chief Minister of Sarawak addressing the audience
which spans across from east to west, from Sarawak to Sabah, will be the main spine of the state that is expected to spur further new development along many stretches of the highway. This vital road connectivity will attract more investors participating in various development projects, thus further unlocking the potential of more parts of the hinterland that will then help to further drive the economic activities for the state.
We will expect a hive of economic activities that will thrive, and that will be necessarily and amply supported by infrastructure and utility projects, such as electrical power supply and water distribution works. This is where the engineers’ professional service will be called to task, and for this, may I thank the engineering community in advance your invaluable contribution to the economic growth of the state as well as for the well-being of the people of Sarawak.
In our endeavour to speed up and enhance the development status of Sarawak, the State Government has embarked upon several important plans. These include the implementation and commissioning of more power plants, dams, port expansion, an LRT line, as well as projects under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy. I am happy to note that as of now, many
CONFERENCE
73