“The solution for development and inclusive growth must be driven by the people, to the people and for the people” said Dato’ Seri DiRaja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir in his speech when opening the Pangkor International Development Dialogue (PIDD) 2015 at Casuarina@Meru Hotel. The theme for PIDD this year is Implementing Sustainability for Inclusive Growth.
Zambry said inclusive growth is needed to address demographic imbalances, environmental sustainability, as well as moral and spiritual development in the age of fast-paced development. There needs to be the right balance for inclusive growth and development in any country or state. The reality is that we are living in a diverse, meshed and inter-connected world, Malaysia and Perak included. There is no solution that is ‘one-size-fits-all’.
He said that those living in remote areas must also be included. The people in Teupin Asan in Aceh, Batanes Island in The Philippines and Kuala Mu in Perak must be included in the context of inclusiveness. They must not be left behind when the people in other parts of the world are enjoying economic prosperity and the latest communication gadgets.
Inclusive growth also needs to blend both the bottom-up aspirations of the people and top-down vision of leaders. It is a concept that advances equitable opportunities for economic participations with benefits, extending to every section of society. Rapid pace of growth is unquestionably necessary, for substantial social uplifting.
For growth to be sustainable in the long run, it should be broad based, across sectors and inclusive of the large part of a particular region’s workforce. Inclusive growth refers both to pace and patterns of growth.
Zambry said through dialogue, the state government wants to get the views and suggestions of academics, industry experts, government administrators and civil society on how to develop in the context of development for the benefit of the people. Thinking outside the box is required to bring the state to move forward and to achieve the goals and objectives set.
Zambry witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between MB Inc and Indian Ocean Garnet Sand Co Pvt Ltd and Advanced Manufacturing Company Management Sdn Bhd.
The keynote address “Growing Against the Odds” by charismatic speaker Dr Tommy Weir, Founder of Emerging Leadership Centre was inspiring. He said there are 12 habits to grow against the odds and focused on four of them in relation to the success of Air Emirates, McDonalds, Ford and Amazon.
To grow sustainably when the odds are against you, you must:
Lead today for tomorrow – deciding today for the future betterment (Emirates story)
Create an environment for others to succeed – grow together not at the expense of anyone (McDonalds and Henry Ford stories)
Sustainability – being able to survive the risk
Have an ambitious appetite – building an educated society (Dubai Case)
Victoria Treadell, British High Commissioner to Malaysia informed that the United Kingdom would participate in next year’s PIDD. She added that there would be three main themes to explore namely, education, youth and empowerment of women.
A. Jeyaraj
