Sarawak CM speaks at Commonwealth Diplomats Induction Programme

LONDON: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on Wednesday gave a special address at the Commonwealth Diplomats Induction Programme held at Malborough House in the British capital, on the invitation of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
The secretariat's invitation was a followup to the Commonwealth Leadership Academy collaboration in which Sarawak plays a significant role.
The chief minister spoke about Sarawak's experience over the years to develop its economy, maintain racial and religious harmony, protect the environment, preserve and conserve wildlife, and develop its renewable energy resources and economic sustainability.
His speech gave a special emphasis on Sarawak's current push towards transforming itself into a digital economy and pointed out that the digital revolution had become an unstoppable force.
"Sarawak has to move away from conventional economics and embrace the digital transformation or risk being left behind," he said.
To a question from the audience during the Q & A session, Abang Johari said a government must match its policies with the aspiration of the younger generations.
In Sarawak, he added, where youth comprised about 60% of the population, the shift towards digital economy would give opportunities for the young who are Internet literate to be actively involved in the digitisation of the economy.
Earlier, upon arrival at Malborough House, the chief minister and his delegation met with Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland.
Among those accompanying him during the meeting were Sarawak State Secretary Tan Sri Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Sarawak Deputy State Secretary Datuk Sabariah Putit and Emerging Leaders Dialogue Asia 2016 organising chairman Adrian Jerome.
They had about half-an-hour of discussion that touched on the efforts to create platforms for the enhancement of leadership roles among emerging leaders in the Commonwealth countries.
Abang Johari and his entourage will return to Kuching on Thursday after leading a two-week long study visit to Europe. — Bernama