30 years of economic progress

Figures don’t lie. It is an exact science. Data extracted from various sources proven that Sarawak under leadership of Chief Minister and BN Chairman Pehin Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud brought termendous progress for the state, people and sundry.

All could be substantiated. When Taib took over in 1981, the 1980 statistics shown that the GDP was at RM 5,142 million. Last year, it was recorded (adjusted to PPP) at RM 93,460 million.  That is realistically over 1,800% increase. The economy is now comprises of 35.5% services sector, 27.7% manufacturing sector and 18.5% mining sector. Forestry and agriculture only contributed 7.8% and 6.7% respectively.

Sarawak economy

The state government economic policy and hard work paid off. In 2010, the export accounts for RM 76.2 billion where as the imports stand at RM 26.1 billion. That is a balance of trade of RM 50.1 billion. Comparable to the Federation of Malaysia’s 2010 figures of RM 90 billion.

Sarawak’s geography is very challenging indeed. The area of the state is 124,000 sq km, which is 37% of Federation of Malaysia. That is almost the size of Semenanjung Malaysia. The state is partitioned into 11 division and there are 31 districts all over the state. For all that vastness, it is only inhibited by 2.5 million persons. That is slightly over the number of Kuala Lumpur population.

The hard facts shown that roads were only at 4,875km in 1980 and by 2010, it grew to 20,333km. Across the state, the electricty and water supply was calculated at 34% and 32% respectively in 1980. 30 years later, the penetration rate was at 83% and 79%. Comparatively, Sarawak in its complicated infrastructure and challenges of the vastness geography is 60% better than Kelantan in supplying treated water across the state.

The penetration of broadband is recorded at 17%.

The labour workforce grew from 700,000 in 1990 to 980,000 in 2010. That is a direct co-relation to the rising of level of education and competencies of Sarawakians. In 1980, Sarawakians with secondary and tertiary education level were recorded at 113,400 and 16,500 respectively. By 2010, it grew to 521,900 and 173,900 respectively. The growth of Sarawakians with degree level is calculated at 1,000%. Sarawak today enjoy the facility of 4 public universities, 3 private universities and 38 private colleges compare to 1980 where there was only a single branch campus of a public institute of higher learning.

The poverty level corresponded accordingly. In 1985, the hardcore poor was calculated at 10% of the population where else the poor rate was at 31.9%. By 2010, the hardcore poor dropped to only 1.0% and the poor was managed to be brought down to 5.3%. The number of poor household was brought down from 90,000 in 1985 to only 27,000 in 2010.

The quality of life of Sarawakians also improved impressively under Taib’s leadership. In 1980, the patient-to-doctor ratio was at 7,068. By 2010, it was dropped to 1,968. By 2010, 7 new hospitals were added from the 15 existed in 1980. In the same corresponding period, health clinics grew from 4 to 226.

The past 30 years of progress would be more meaningful when the way forward in factored in. When Sarawak Corridor of Rebewable Energy  (SCORE) was launched in 2007, it was targeting that Sarawak’s economy grew 40% more than what it could without the comprehensive strategic plan. It was a bold initiative to consolidate all the mining and energy production activities and promotion of specific industries within the northern half of Sarawak, from the coast  starting from Tanjung Manis, Mukah and Salamaju to Baram and Tunoh, at the borders of Kalimantan Indonesia.

The objectives are:

1. Create new wealth

2. Move the state economy up the value chain

3. Achieve higher income per capita

4. Balanced regional development

5. Increased quality of life

6. Eradicate poverty

Tanjung Manis has been ear marked for the Halal Hub. It would consolidate regional agriculture and food activities, upstream towards downstream. Mukah would be transformed into a smart city, where amongst others the ICT activities for the region would be centralised from the neighbourhood.

SCORE would eventually generate 28,000 MW of electricity, 1.467 million tonnes of coal and over 40 cubic trillion feet of natural gas. Power generation for industries would be competitive. It would be broken into three phases that would spread well into 2030.

This bold and strategic economic plan would enable and facilitate the GDP per capita is to grow 250% within the next 20 years. With SCORE, the number of jobs expected to grow to 2.5 million instead of 1.7 million. Sarawak expect to be populated by 4.6 million in 2030 with SCORE instead of 4.0 million without it.

Taib and his BN leadership undoubtedly brought upon these progress. The transformation measured from the physical, socio-economic development and mindset of the Rakyat, for the Kenyalang state is simply incredible. Of course, they have plans to move it forward. The record already proven that they did and could do it even better there on.