‘Little Napoleons’ no more in Sarawak

KUCHING: Investors can rest assured that there will be no “Little Napoleons” in the Sarawak state government, said a top civil servant of the state, who also urged the private sector to be the main driver for Sarawak’s pursuit to double its economic size to RM282bil by 2030.

Deputy State Secretary Datu Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel said on Monday that investors will be well facilitated and that all business-related administrative matters will be handled transparently.

“Our Premier (Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg) emphasises good governance and integrity in the government of the day,” according to him.

Muhammad Abdullah delivered a special address on Sarawak’s development plan during Affin Group’s “Propelling Malaysia Forward 2023: Sarawak Series” conference.

Affin Bank Bhd president and chief executive officer Datuk Wan Razly Abdullah opined that Sarawak’s growth is highly crucial to maintain Malaysia’s upward trajectory.

“Sarawak is a key player and an impetus of growth to help carry Malaysia into the future,” he said.

Referring to the World Bank’s findings, Wan Razly pointed out that Sarawak has already achieved the “high-income” status with a gross national income per capita of US$13,205 (RM61,499) in 2022.

This accomplishment, according to him, underscores Sarawak’s economic resilience and its important role for Malaysia’s growth.

Wan Razly also described the “Propelling Malaysia Forward 2023: Sarawak Series” conference as “timely”.

“It allows us to delve into opportunities in the East Malaysia market that not only drive sustainable growth but also encourage innovation and foster collaborative efforts.

“Additionally, we view this market outlook as an opportunity to fortify our commercial ties with existing clients while also extending our outreach to encompass potential clients in Sarawak,” he said.