Sarawak's 15-year social economic transformation programme will succeed - DPM

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is confident that Sarawak's 15-year Social Economic Transformation Programme with its focus more on rural transformation which begins this year will succeed.

He said this was because its people although they came from many racial origins and religious backgrounds, had always been united.

"There is no issue about racial differences in Sarawak. I am very happy with this," he said at an all-communities dinner in honour of his visit to this town beginning last night.

He said apart from having very good leaders, the state had among the country's top businessmen who would support the programme.

"Some of our top businessmen in Malaysia come from Sarawak. For instance, the Foochows of Sibu are known to do big business in the world like like Tan Sri Tiong Hew King of the Rimbunan Hijau Group," he said.

Zahid again reminded the people in the state not to be extremist in practising their religions as one way to preserve the existing unity and harmony.

"Islam for example never taught its followers to destroy others or to hate other religions. It is a religion of peace. "We must respect other religions if we want others to respect our religion," he said.

He added that Malaysians must uphold their spirituality and not just focus on physical development.

On the coming Sarawak 11th state election, he urged the people to give their fullest support to the Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem whom he described as a very good and popular leader.

"Your support will allow him to continue with his work of making Sarawak flourish and by 2030 it can be the most developed state in the country," he added.