KUCHING: Sarawak is capable of becoming a digital economic power boasting excellent infrastructure and utilities and enjoying high income with the solid support of the rakyat as well as the efficiency of the state's civil service, said Chief Minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said it was not impossible to achieve this if everyone focused on realising what they've set out to do and the state's civil servants worked hard to ensure that all projects that had been launched are completed on time and not delayed for the benefit of the people and the transformation of the state's infrastructures.

"Now that the pandemic has eased, there is very little reason for the completion of projects to be delayed," he said in his 2022 Chinese New Year message.

Following the outstanding performance of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in last month's state election, particularly in the Sibu division, he said that Bukit Assek, being one of the prime areas in the division, would be developed into a vibrant centre to attract investments and uplift the economy.

He said the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) had been entrusted with spearheading the task to revamp a 202.343-hectare low-lying, water-logged part of Bukit Assek into a modern cityscape.

While admitting that it would not be an easy task and one that would take more than a decade to realise, Abang Johari felt that with a strong political will, it could be done for the benefit of the people of Sibu and Sarawak as a whole.

He said urban areas should continue to be developed in view of the need for improvements and modernisation of amenities, such as the public transportation system, and towards achieving the creation of smart cities.

Although the celebration for this Chinese New Year remained restricted, as it has been since 2020, he hoped the Year of the Tiger would lead to all levels of the society to continue working towards strengthening unity.

"For this year's CNY celebration, we can't visit (one another) as usual but this does not prevent us from continuing to strengthen the bond of silaturrahim (friendship) and spirit of mutual respect for each other," he added.

-- BERNAMA