SBF urged to help drive transformation, shape Sarawak’s economy

KUCHING: The Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) has been urged to play a bigger role in shaping Sarawak’s economic transformation over the next decade through professional feedback and stronger regional business cooperation.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the private sector had an important role to play in helping the Sarawak government identify weaknesses in its policies and systems as the state navigated a rapidly changing economic environment.

“We are not experts, we know we don’t know everything, but there could be some weakness, and professionally you tell us what’s wrong. So we correct ourselves for the purpose of the whole economy,” he said at the SBF 10th Anniversary and Fund-Raising Dinner at the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) Complex here on Saturday night (Oct 17).

He said the government did not need political parties alone to provide checks and balances, stressing that professional institutions could provide constructive feedback without political considerations.

“You don’t need the party to check us, but we need institutions to check us,” he said.

Abang Johari said the business community could raise issues affecting industry, including problems involving foreign workers or weaknesses in government systems, allowing the government to review and improve its approach.

“If our system is not good, then we review our system together with you,” he said.

He said this partnership would become increasingly important as Sarawak entered its next decade of economic transformation, with the global economic environment expected to change significantly.

“The next 10 years will be challenging because of the broad transformation taking place across the global economy,” he said.

Abang Johari said Sarawak’s policies for 2030 and beyond would focus on leapfrogging the state’s economy, with the private sector expected to play a significant role in that transformation.

He said SBF could also contribute through stronger regional business cooperation, noting its engagement with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and efforts to develop a Borneo business community.

“This means our economic transformation embraces cross-border trade,” he said.

He said greater business cooperation across Borneo could create opportunities in areas including carbon trading and renewable energy.

Abang Johari said the public and private sectors needed to work together professionally if Sarawak was to become a major player in ASEAN’s economic transformation.

“With that, SBF also will be known throughout the world as a partner in this transformation,” he said.