Temenggong Lu Kim Yong
KUCHING: Sarawak has the potential to become a bigger economic hub if it is prepared to open up more international air routes.
A community leader, Temenggong Lu Kim Yong, said with more economic growth and more economic activities Sarawak would be in a better position to beat inflation that was besetting the nation.
“Our leaders have to focus on beating inflation which I think has reached a critical level. The federal government has also tried various mechanisms and efforts in ensuring that the economy is not adversely affected by inflation. One of them is to attract more foreign investment and tourists to spend their money here,” he said when contacted yesterday.
For instance, Chinese nationals could afford to spend their holidays, particularly Chinese New Year, abroad and when in Malaysia they preferred to be in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Sabah but not in Sarawak, he said.
“Sarawak does not have the pleasure of direct flights like the three destinations. We want the government to open new air routes and also direct routes to Sarawak,” Lu appealed, adding that this Year of the Horse was a very good one for businesses and trade.
He commended Malaysians in general for enhancing racial harmony by celebrating Chinese New Year in peace and also by holding open houses.
He felt that the celebration this year was not that grand probably because the prices of most items had gone up faster than the income of many individuals. He said people were normally stingy when prices of goods were dearer.