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
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