KUCHING: Sarawak still maintains its status as a high-income state after the World Bank once again confirmed the recognition recently.

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said he was informed that Sarawak's Gross National Income (GNI) per capita increased to USD17,000 compared to USD15,000 last year.

According to him, this achievement really shows that Sarawak has succeeded in improving the living standards of its people and creating good economic opportunities.

"The World Bank yesterday confirmed that Sarawak is still maintained as a high-income state based on the increase in GNI per capita.

"There is no denying that our (Sarawak) poverty still exists, to the point where some individuals compare Sarawak with the state of Perlis which does not face the issue of poverty.

"Despite Sarawak's high income, there are still 'pockets of poverty'. If you want to compare, the area of Perlis is like half of Kuching City alone, while our area from south to north alone is as big as the entire Peninsular Malaysia...not including improving infrastructure and education.

"Try to imagine with the area that Sarawak has, how much is the cost required?” he said.

He said this in his speech to inaugurate the closing of the Land and Survey Department Sarawak Innovation and Integrity Day (HIITS) 2024 here, on Friday.

During the ceremony, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari also witnessed the awarding of several projects in addition to awards presentation to individuals who have shown excellent performance in the field of innovation and integrity.

Among the awards given include the Service Delivery Transformation Innovation Award, Social Innovation Award, Environmental Sustainability Innovation Award, Digital Transformation Innovation Award, Innovative Leadership Special Award, Best Montage Award, and Best Performance Award.

Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Sarawak State Secretary, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Integrity And Ombudsman), Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya, Permanent Secretary to the Sarawak Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development, Datu Abdullah Julaihi, Land and Survey Department (JTS) Sarawak Director, Awang Zamhari Awang Mahmood, and other dignitaries.

HIITS 2024 was held for three days starting July 3 at the Waterfront Hotel Kuching involving the presentation of innovation projects through the Convention of Innovative and Creative Circle (ICC) at the JTS Sarawak level. -UKASnews