It is only nine more years to the year 2020, the year for the country to achieve the objective of the national agenda to become a developed nation. The target is to have at least US15,000 or in today’s money about RM45,000 per capita income, which is the international measurement for the status of a developed nation, by that year.
The attainment of the status of a developed nation, of course, means children now in schools can look forward to earn better salaries for what ever jobs that they will be doing by then. It is projected that at least 52% of the new jobs will each be able to carry a salary of about RM3,000 per month.
 |
| PPKS http://www.ppks.edu.my/ |
It goes without saying that Sarawak is determined to become part of a big and prosperous Malaysia by the year 2020. The State’s per capita income now is RM33,000. The difference is only RM12,000 to be achieved in 10 years. Even with a modest growth of less than 5%, the State will be able to achieve the objectives of Vision 2020 to become a developed Sarawak by the year 2020.
Obviously, the people must nurture and strengthen the right political discipline to face greater challenges ahead. In this respect, the people must take cognition of the fact that the State’s success, as depicted in the transformation from an under-developed State to become one of fastest growing states in the country, does not come on its own but the fruits of the struggle that entailed lots of sacrifices.
Besides, the people must remain committed to the struggle to achieve equality and greater progress and prosperity during the period. Undoubtedly, the government is pursuing a policy to encourage people, who are already prosperous, to become more prosperous and those who are in hardship to improve themselves through their own responsibility and efforts. In this respect, they should not be confused by the instigations and threats from certain quarters that belittle the State’s success in development.
For example, the opposition elements claim that only a small group of people are benefiting from the State’s economic development. It may be true that only a small group comes up as those, who do not have knowledge, carry out their businesses without proper planning and disciplines and not taking the risks into consideration do not succeed. Hopefully, the small group will become bigger if more people, who are equipped with knowledge and skills, go into business. This has already been happening.
For example, there used to be very few Bumiputras doing business in Kuching before but now more and more of them are doing so. Even those who used to sell sago flour, cake and other things on the road sides have been able to earn some money for themselves and their families. Some of them, after acquiring some knowledge and experience, are operating small industries or cottage industries.
 |
| Automotive and Welding Institute of Sarawak (AWISAR) facilities http://awisar.ppks.edu.my |
Regrettably, certain quarters are criticising and condemning the government for giving businesses to Bumiputras only but remaining silent on efforts of the government in helping non Bumiputras to come up. Undeniably, many non Bumiputras have been able to come up in business; they are visible especially in places like Miri, Bintulu and Kuching.
Undeniably, the State government has been implementing an economic policy that benefits both Bumiputras and non Bumiputras in development. The leadership is fully aware that any politics based on false economic assumption will burn anybody who subscribe to it. There is no better option than to pursue a fair and just policy to the people, who comprise of diverse ethnic and religious groups.
Actually, the State’s success, though a very difficult one, is beyond the common imagination of the people. For example, the expatriate officers, who once served in Sarawak, on visits here, do not believe what they see; even Kuching is beyond their recognition. They do not believe that Sarawak, which is the largest state with the most difficult terrain namely the hilly and mountainous hinterlands and soggy and muddy coastal areas, in the country can be developed very successfully.
Chief Minister, Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, in a recent speech during Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering organised by PBB, says the people should not be complacent with the current success. Instead, Sarawak’s development must be intensified in order to raise the level of economic success towards realising the objectives of Vision 2020.
Undeniably, efforts to develop the economy has been able to push the economic performance from the situation of poverty and backwardness to high income economy, the economy that is based on the capability to create more employment and business opportunities for the people. The implementation of the industrial development programme at Samalaju and Tanjung Manis Halal hub should be able to push further the economic success of the State in the near future.
 |
| International College of Advanced Technology Sarawak (ICATS) http://www.icats.edu.my |
Pehin Sri Abdul Taib says the State will be able to create 1.5 million jobs in the next 20 years up to the year 2030. The State has been able to make very good saving that can provide good financial resources for development; it can be used to generate huge capital in the process of development. This will enable the State to undertake more development projects to create more jobs that can give high income to the people.
Generally investors consider Sarawak a safe place to put their money. Now more than RM30 billion worth of investment have been committed to the state until 2015. The success will create more employment and business opportunities for children who are now in schools, colleges and universities. It represents real opportunities, not just promises, to develop the economy for the people.
Understandably, there is already a strong realization among the people that the future economic development will have the capability to create more jobs that can generate high income for them. The jobs will not only be beneficial to those with degree qualifications but more for those with diploma qualifications and skills and expertise.
It is projected that more than 52% of the jobs that will come up in the next 20 years from now will require workers with various types of technical skills. Therefore, the people, parents in particular must have a new mindset in giving education to their children. They must encourage their children to pursue courses that can match jobs in the market in future. They cannot persist with the old thinking to get excellent results in schools only but ignoring the necessity to acquire necessary skills for the jobs market.
 |
| In the next 20 years from now will require workers with various types of technical skills |
Pehin Sri Abdul Taib endorses a proposal by a number of State Assemblymen to set up a Trust Fund to encourage and assist Bumiputra children to pursue technical education to prepare them for the jobs that will come up in future. The Assemblymen have been able to see the urgent need to build the capability of Bumiputras in relevant fields to enable them to participate meaningfully in the process of development.
He calls on community and political leaders to organise public awareness campaign for the people, parents in particular to help them to appreciate the need to encourage children to pursue skill training and technical courses. A lot of Bumiputras in Miri, who have been pursuing technical courses, are earning good income for themselves and their families now. Generally, the people must develop the culture of being technical in an industrial society that will come up by the year 2020 and beyond.
He says the implementation of SCORE will be the fortune which the new generation cannot afford to miss. The preparations for its development have been designed to give enormous benefits to the people provided they have the necessary skills and expertise to exploit them.
Generally, the people must remain committed with the struggle in nation building in the face of persistent attempts by outsiders to undermine local efforts in development in order to pull the state down to remain in hardship and backward. Besides, the people must be motivated by the fact that the success of SCORE will not be felt by small groups only but all the people.
benuasains
*Photos Source:
http://www.sains.com.my
No comments:
Post a Comment