MIRI: The wealth of resources, strategic location and infrastructure development have placed Sarawak’s Northern Zone in a key position in the state’s transition towards a new economy by 2030.

Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, said the region had strengths in the oil and gas, renewable energy, agriculture, forestry, industrial and tourism sectors that could be leveraged to generate new growth.

“Among the developments is the onshore oil and gas drilling at Adong Kecil West, Miri, which is now producing more than 800 barrels per day, marking Sarawak’s return to onshore oil production after almost 50 years,” he said.

He said this when addressing the Special Convention of the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Sarawak Northern Zone in Miri, officiated by Sarawak Premier and PBB Sarawak President, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, on Sunday.

Datuk Amar Awang Tengah said the Northern Zone’s strengths were further supported by Bintulu as a centre for the oil and gas industry and low-carbon economic activities, while Miri had strengths in the services and tourism sectors.

“Its proximity to Brunei Darussalam, Kalimantan, Sabah and Labuan also opens up opportunities for cross-border trade, in addition to modern agricultural development to enhance food security,” he said.

He added that efforts to harness these potentials needed to be supported by road and bridge networks, water and electricity supply, as well as telecommunications infrastructure to connect communities with markets and economic opportunities, in line with the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) to increase the income and well-being of the people.

Also present were PBB Sarawak Deputy President and Chairman of the PBB Sarawak Special Convention State Main Committee, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas; PBB Sarawak Deputy President, Deputy Chairman of the PBB Sarawak Special Convention State Main Committee and Chairman of the PBB Sarawak Special Convention Northern Zone, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; PBB Sarawak Senior Vice-President and Deputy Chairman of the PBB Sarawak Special Convention Northern Zone, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom; PBB Sarawak Permanent Chairman, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar; PBB Sarawak Secretary-General, Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi; PBB Sarawak Wanita Chief, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah; and PBB Sarawak Youth Chief, Datuk Martin Ben.

Also in attendance were PBB Sarawak vice-presidents and members of the Supreme Council, members of the Supreme Councils of the PBB Sarawak Wanita, Youth and Belia wings, party veterans, the heads of the 18 PBB branches in the Northern Zone and convention participants. -UKASnews