Pujut State Assemblyman, Adam Yii DUN Debate

suppadmin | May 23, 2025

Tan Sri Datuk Amar Speaker,

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the debate on the Motion of Appreciation to the Address by Tuan Yang Terutama Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Haji Wan Junaidi bin Tuanku Jaafar, delivered during the official opening of the First Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Nineteen Sarawak State Legislative Assembly.

Tan Sri Datuk Amar Speaker,

In the address by Tuan Yang Terutama Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, His Excellency highlighted several key developments which I would like to echo and further emphasise.

Firstly, I join His Excellency in congratulating the Sarawak Government on the successful takeover of Bintulu Port Authority and the establishment of Air Borneo, our very own Sarawak-owned airline. This bold and strategic move carries immense potential—not only in enhancing air connectivity, particularly for our rural and interior regions—but also in realising Sarawak’s vision to become a leading regional logistics and trade hub.

With proper planning and efficient execution, Air Borneo can play a key role in reducing air travel costs, streamlining cargo logistics, and strengthening economic linkages both within the region and globally. We are hopeful that this initiative will support trade, tourism, and investment, while providing Sarawakians with better access to domestic and international destinations.

His Excellency also rightly praised the proactive and visionary leadership of Yang Amat Berhormat Premier, who continues to open up and multiply economic opportunities in strategic sectors such as green energy, digitalisation, and innovation. These efforts not only serve Sarawak’s domestic needs but also position Sarawak as a key player at both national and international levels.

Therefore, allow me to extending my heartfelt congratulations to Yang Amat Berhormat Premier of Sarawak for being honoured as the World Outstanding Muslim Leader 2024. This prestigious international accolade is a strong testament to his visionary leadership, strategic foresight, and bold policies that continue to drive Sarawak’s development.

Tan Sri Datuk Amar Speaker,

Under Yang Amat Berhormat Premier stewardship, Sarawak is no longer just progressing—it is emerging as a key economic force within the ASEAN region. The Premier’s far-sighted vision and global engagement have successfully positioned Sarawak as a preferred destination for international investment, particularly in the green economy, energy transition, and technology-based industries.

Notably, Sarawak is now being recognised for its enormous potential to become the “Battery of ASEAN”, leveraging our rich hydropower resources, clean hydrogen capabilities, and strong commitment to sustainability. These efforts are not only attracting foreign investors, but also elevating Sarawak’s profile on the global stage as a reliable, stable, and forward-looking region ready to lead in the new energy era.

This international recognition serves as a further validation that Sarawak is on the right track under the leadership of Yang Amat Berhormat Premier, and that the policies being implement today are laying the foundation for the long-term prosperity and regional leadership.

With ongoing infrastructure development—such as the construction of bridges and roads that link rural and urban areas, coupled with the launch of Air Borneo to connect Sarawak to key global destinations—we are witnessing a transformation that has made Sarawak increasingly attractive to investors from around the world.

One notable achievement highlighted by His Excellency is the strengthening of ties with the United Kingdom in areas such as education, research, manufacturing, semiconductors, and energy. This reflects Sarawak’s growing international profile and competitiveness.

Furthermore, the Premier’s successful engagements during official visits to the headquarters of ATR and Airbus in Toulouse, France, have opened new doors for Sarawak. These high-level discussions have laid the groundwork for exploring Sarawak’s potential to become a new aerospace hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

His Excellency rightly expressed confidence that these strategic efforts—under the Premier’s leadership—will help Sarawak reduce its dependency on natural resources, and instead diversify its economic base through innovation, global collaboration, and sustainable growth.

Tan Sri Datuk Amar Speaker,

We must remember that the socioeconomic prosperity we enjoy today is made possible by the political stability we have maintained. It is therefore imperative that we protect and preserve this stability, for without it, our development agenda and the people’s aspirations could be derailed.

Therefore,

Tan Sri Datuk Amar Speaker,

With your permission, I would like to put forward a few proposals for the consideration of this August House to improve service delivery for the people of Sarawak.

Firstly, I would like to raise an issue concerning the current Electricity Ordinance. At present, Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) may deny electricity supply to a new tenant or property owner simply because the previous occupant left behind unpaid bills.

This has caused hardship to many landlords and new tenants who have no connection to the defaulter. It is unfair for someone to be held responsible for another person’s debt. I urge the House to consider amending the Ordinance so that, if a new applicant can show proof—such as a tenancy agreement or statutory declaration—that they are not related to the defaulter, SEB should allow electricity supply to proceed.

Secondly, I propose that to consider offering prepaid electricity meters as an option, especially for rental properties.

Prepaid systems have several clear benefits:

• Tenants must top-up before using electricity, which prevents unpaid bills from piling up.

• Landlords gain peace of mind, especially for short-term rentals.

• It helps avoid disputes between landlords, tenants, and SEB.

• It promotes responsible electricity usage.

Most importantly, prepaid meters are harder to tamper with, helping reduce electricity theft and losses to SEB.

Tan Sri Datuk Amar Speaker,

These proposals aim to make our electricity supply system more fair, efficient, and secure. I hope they will be seriously considered by the relevant ministry and SEB.

Tan Sri Datuk Amar Speaker,

While we now proudly hold the status of sole gas aggregator through PETROS—a major milestone in asserting Sarawak’s rights over our natural resources—it is important that the benefits of this milestone are also felt by our people and businesses on the ground.

In particular, I wish to raise a concern from the commercial sector in Miri, where many new business owners have expressed frustration over the high cost and long waiting period—sometimes stretching over several months—for the approval and installation of piped gas supply.

For example, business operators, especially those in the food and beverage, manufacturing, and hospitality industries, report that:

The initial capital outlay for gas connection and infrastructure can be prohibitively expensive for startups or SMEs;

The current application process for gas supply involves multiple steps that lack clear guidance and do not offer guaranteed timelines. As a result, applicants—particularly new business owners—often face long waiting periods that can stretch over several months.

These delays are not just administrative inconveniences—they can lead to costly setbacks in business operations, resulting in lost revenue, dissatisfied investors, and in some cases, the abandonment of the projects altogether.

This situation not only hampers the growth of local entrepreneurship, but also undermines investor confidence—at a time when we are actively positioning Sarawak as a competitive and attractive destination for both domestic and foreign investments.

I therefore call upon the relevant ministries and PETROS’s subsidiary Sarawak Gas Distribution Sdn Bhd to urgently review and streamline the application and connection process for commercial gas supply.

Among the measures I propose are:

1) Establishment of a fast-track application mechanism for commercial users, especially for startups, SMEs, and strategic sectors such as tourism and manufacturing.

2) Startup incentives or installation subsidies for eligible businesses, to promote early adoption and ease financial burden.

We must keep in mind that securing regulatory control over our resources is only the first step. What matters just as much is ensuring that our policies and delivery mechanisms are aligned with a pro-business, pro-growth agenda.

Only through efficient implementation and investor-friendly frameworks can we fully harness Sarawak’s gas potential—not just for exports and large-scale industries, but also to empower local entrepreneurs, stimulate SMEs, and create quality jobs for our people.

Tan Sri Datuk Amar Speaker,

I wish to raise an issue concerning many long-term residents in Sarawak, especially in Miri — both non-Sarawakian Malaysians and foreigners—who have lived, worked, and contributed meaningfully to Sarawak for many years.

Some have served in our public and private sectors for decades. They have raised families here, purchased homes, contributed to our economy and community, and in many cases, they now proudly call Sarawak their home.

However, under our current immigration policy, many of them are not allowed to remain in Sarawak after retirement—even when they have Sarawakian spouses, children, or property here. This creates unnecessary hardship and disrupts family life. It is truly a loss for Sarawak, both economical and brain drain since the family members will follow their uprooted parents.

Therefore, I appeal to our Sarawak government to consider introducing a special Permanent Resident pass for those who wish to settle down in Sarawak for good.

This would be a compassionate and practical step to honour their contribution and allow them to continue calling Sarawak their home in retirement.

Tan Sri Datuk Amar Speaker,

In the true spirits of Sarawak, I wish all those who are celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival (Duan Wu Jie) on May 31st; Gawai on June 1st; Hari Raya Aidiladha on June 6th, a very happy and blessed festive celebration. This is Sarawak and we have three important celebrations in a week.

Lastly, I wish to register my full support for the Motion of Appreciation to the Address by Tuan Yang Terutama Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak. His address outlines a clear vision and direction for Sarawak, and I am confident that with unity, commitment, and continued strategic leadership, Sarawak will continue to rise as a model within Malaysia and beyond.