Tackle development based on regions, Sarawak CM urges Putrajaya

Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg today urged Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to tackle development under the 12th Malaysia Plan, the government’s blueprint for the next five years, according to regional territory.

Speaking to reporters, he said this would be in line with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“We need to shift our approach in laying out economic development plans,” he said.

“Planning should be according to region – Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya – and not based on state to state.”

Adding that this was an old approach, he said an action plan based on regional factors would help ensure successful development.

“Sarawak is large and the economic structure is different from that of the peninsula,” he said, adding that the state’s economy is based on its unique resources.

“The economic approach should be based on our treaty, MA63,” he said.

“The treaty states that Malaysia consists of three regions: Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak.”

He also reiterated that a state-to-state approach would not work given the sheer size of Sarawak.

“Just look at the Baram area – it’s as big as Pahang,” he said.