Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg said the state Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government is resolutely determined to ensure that the rural areas are well-connected, well-served with facilities and amenities and the economic capacity expanded. — Picture by Sulok Tawie
KUCHING, May 31 — Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg today told the Dayak community that the time has come for them to transform their traditional subsistence farming as it can no longer the modern economic life they wish for.
He said whether they like it or not traditional farming has to undergo a certain transformation so that agriculture can be turned into commercial ventures to upgrade their economic status.
“To be able to be a part of the agricultural and economic transformation it is my fervent hope for the Dayak community, to participate actively in the field of commerce and industry,” he said in his Gawai Dayak message.
“This is where they have to transform their traditional subsistence farming to modern farming through application of new technologies and digital marketing platforms,” he added.
He said he believes that the Dayak farmers can make it good by commercialising their farming with the support of a good connectivity and marketing strategy.
The chief minister said they should take advantage of their land which can be used to produce food for export.
“A lot of Dayak smallholders have succeeded in oil palm and pepper farming and, with the right advice and secured markets, I don’t see any reason why they cannot do well in food production such as planting of vegetables and fruits,” he said, adding that they can play an important role in helping Sarawak to be a net exporter of food in the future.
The chief minister said the state Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government is resolutely determined to ensure that the rural areas are well-connected, well-served with facilities and amenities and the economic capacity expanded.
“We now have more money from the imposition of 5 per cent on oil and gas products for export and the funds will be channelled back to our people in the forms of infrastructure facilities,” he said.
Abang Johari also urged the Dayaks and other communities in Sarawak to have more trust in themselves on what they can do for the state, instead of trusting others who come and go.
“Not all may agree with what I say here but and at the end of the day Sarawakians are left to fend for themselves,” he said, adding that whatever their shortcomings as a group or otherwise, they have to work it out among themselves in one way or another.
The chief minister said unity has been the pillar of the state’s strength in the last 56 years since the formation of Malaysia.
“Much has been achieved because of our ability to be a cohesive society but much more needs to be done to put Sarawak on equal footing, if not above the other already developed states,” he added.
