KUCHING, May 8 (Bernama) -- Former Governor and Chief Minister of Sarawak the late Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud was a visionary who prioritised harmony and unity as the core foundation for Sarawak's development, said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Abang Johari, who is more popularly known as Abang Jo, said Abdul Taib always promoted close collaboration among various ethnic groups by introducing the concept of 'Confluence of Rivers', which emphasised unity in diversity to foster solidarity.
"In pursuit of reinforcing harmony and sovereignty, the late Abdul Taib always ensured Sarawak's rights were safeguarded to protect the economic, political, and social interests of the people of Sarawak.
"Abdul Taib was very focused on the socio-economic development of Sarawak, aiming to close the development gap between urban and rural areas. This was to ensure that the rural community did not lag behind in terms of development," he said when tabling a motion of appreciation for Abdul Taib at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly sitting here today.
Abang Johari added that in terms of industrial development, in 1987, Abdul Taib established the Sarawak Ministry of Industrial Development to promote the growth of the industrial sector.
"One of the projects that was a game-changer for industrial development at that time was the establishment of the Samajaya Free Industrial Zone, which specialised in electrical and electronics industries.
"To further boost Sarawak's economy in line with global needs, Abdul Taib established the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), which promotes renewable energy development. Today, Sarawak is one of the largest hydroelectric power producers in the region, with the Batang Ai, Bakun, and Murum dams," he said.
Additionally, he said that to support the planned development, Abdul Taib also took steps to strengthen human capital through education by establishing Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) in 1992, Curtin University Malaysia in Miri in 1999, and Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus in 2000.
-- BERNAMA
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