Abang Johari: We must transform the economy or be left behind

Abang Johari (third left) presenting a souvenir to Commonwealth secretary-general Scotland during their meeting in London.

KUCHING: Sarawak needs to move away from conventional economy and embrace digital transformation, or risk being left behind, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said.

Speaking at the Commonwealth diplomats induction programme in London on Wednesday, Sarawak’s Chief Minister emphasised the state’s current push towards becoming a digital economy and that the digital revolution was now an unstoppable force.

He also spoke about Sarawak’s experience over the years of developing its economy sustainably, maintaining racial and religious harmony, protecting the environment, conserving wildlife and developing renewable energy resources.

To a question from the audience, Abang Johari said a government must match its policies with the aspirations of the younger generation.

He added that in Sarawak, where youths comprised about 60% of the population, the shift towards a digital economy would give opportunities to Internet-literate young people to be actively involved in the digitisation of the economy.

Abang Johari was invited to address the event at Marlborough House by the Commonwealth Secretariat as a follow-up to the Commonwealth Leadership Academy collaboration, in which Sarawak plays a significant role.

The Chief Minister and his delegation also met Commonwealth secretary-general Baroness Patricia Scotland.

Those accompanying him at the meeting included State Secretary Tan Sri Morshidi Abdul Ghani, deputy state secretary Datuk Sabariah Putit and Emerging Leaders Dialogue Asia 2016 organising chairman Adrian Jerome.

In a half-hour discussion, they spoke on efforts to create platforms for enhancing leadership roles among emerging leaders in Commonwealth countries.