Conference urges mindset change to meet challenges

BINTULU: The mindset of civil servants especially those dealing directly with the various mega projects under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) must revamp and change to meet the challenges and demands from investors around the globe.

This was the point among the several pertinent issues raised during the panel discussion session at the Bintulu Development Authority Conference 2009 (BINDAC) yesterday at Parkcity Everly Hotel.
The panel stressed the need on capacity building and improved delivery service system so as to enhance the investors’ confidence and chose SCORE as their prime choice of investment.
This was because the civil servants would be dealing with investors of world-class corporate entities and hence their attitude towards discharging their duties must duly be elevated to a world-class mentality.
The panel also pointed out that SCORE had an added advantage due to the availability of Bakun Hydro Electricity Dam whose cheap energy source could be tapped .

Among the panel members were Chief Executive Officer of Iskandar Regional Development Authority (KRDA), Dato Ikmal Hijaz Hashim, Chairman of Naim Cendera Datuk Abdul Hamed Sepawi, Executive Chairman of Nusantara Technologies, Dato Ghazali bin Dato Mohd Yusoff and Director of State Panning Unit. Datu Ismawi Ismuni with Bintulu Resident Dr Razali Abon as the panel chairman.
Another issue raised was to ‘silence’ the critics from Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) especially the environmental groups who were deemed to haul criticism at development of SCORE due to the extensive landscape being developed and the energy source derived through construction of dams.

The ideal solution was to adopt a positive approach with accountability and transparency by inviting the environmental groups to participate in the open discussion and attending seminars on the subject matter.
Later, General Manager of BDA, Haji Mohidin Haji Ishak, in his closing remarks on the two-day conference said the participants, particularly the civil servants had gained immensely through the knowledge gained and the esperience shared by reputable speakers .
He said BDA would not rest on its laurels after being commended by Chief Minister, Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, in transforming Bintulu from a small fishing village to becoming a ‘shining part’ of Malaysia, where others could learn from the success of BDA as a regional development agency.

“In fact, praises to BDA should be embraced as challenges to ensure a continuity of development in line with the vision to turn Bintulu into a ‘Friendly Industrial City by year 2020’,” said Mohidin.
Mohidin said BDA also need assistance from Federal and State governments, the private and the corporate sectors to enable it to act effectively to realising its goals.

The conference, jointly organised by BDA and Chief Minister’s Department in collaboraton with Centre for Modern Management, was attended by 200 people from the public sector, local entrepreneurs, community leaders and corporate sector.

(Taken from Eastern Times)