LIMBANG: Sarawak now stands as the third largest contributor to Malaysia’s economy, contributing 9.7 per cent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) after Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

In stating this, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said last year, Sarawak managed to increase its GDP growth to 4.7 per cent compared to 2.3 per cent in the previous year.

Awang Tengah, who is also Second Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development and Minister of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development, said this when officiating at a Chinese New Year (CNY) dinner organised by Hockien Association of Limbang at the Civic Centre here on Saturday.

He pointed out that Sarawak was able continue to achieve good record due to its good governance and strong economic development.

He took the opportunity to update the diners on the latest initiative taken by the state government to provide flight fare subsidy to Sarawakian students pursuing their tertiary studies in Peninsular Malaysia, Federal Territory of Labuan and Sabah to return home for festive occasions, which was approved by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg during a town hall session ‘Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak’ last year in Kuala Lumpur.

“During the town hall session, the students requested for the state government to provide flight fare subsidy for them to return to Sarawak during festive seasons.

“With this flight fare subsidy, it will at least lighten the students’ expenses in purchasing air ticket.”

The tertiary students, he added, can apply for such flight fare subsidy twice a year but there are certain requirements that they have to meet such as proof of their study at institutions of higher learning and boarding pass.

“The flight fare subsidy is one of the state government’s initiatives for the people under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) led by Abang Johari.”

Also present were Awang Tengah’s wife Datuk Dayang Morliah Datuk Awang Daud, Assistant Minister of Agriculture Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Limbang MP Hasbi Habibollah, Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong, Batu Danau assemblyman Paulus Palu Gumbang, Limbang Resident Ahmad Denney Ahmad Fauzi, Limbang District officer Superi Awang Said, Lawas District officer Ladin Atok and Limbang District Council chairman Sufian Mohat.