New economic model includes the rural people as well

2009/10/31

MIRI: So long as there is willingness to move out from their traditional economic cocoon, rural folks should not feel alienated from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak's new economic model.

It is applicable to them as well, International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan said today.

He said Najib had placed high priority to raise the living standard of all Malaysians when he came up with the idea.

Sagan, who is Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) senior vice-president, said this when opening the party's triennial general meeting for Telang Usan Division here.

He said that traditionally, the rural populace in Sarawak owned acres of land as their traditional assets which could be utilised to fast track their economic progress.

"It would just need a more efficient way for our people to manage these assets and plant crops of higher economic value that could yield higher income for them," said Sagan, who is also Baram member of parliament.

He said SPDP members could take the lead in explaining the new economic idea to the rural-based population by encouraging their involvement in commercial plantations.

He added that the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy would also speed up the development of rural areas, besides expanding employment and business opportunities.

The triennial general meeting was attended by 81 delegates and held in preparation for the party's triennial delegates assembly in Kuching in December. - Bernama