Paying tribute to our right honourable Premier of Sarawak

Together with the rest of fellow Sarawakians, today we jointly wish a happy eighth year anniversary in office to our right honourable Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Bin Tun Abang Haji Openg. In just a short span of eight years, we are seeing positive changes to Sarawak and all Sarawakians are so proud to be part of this beloved State. We pray that Abang Johari will always be blessed with good health to lead Sarawak for many more years.

Our esteemed Premier had also created numerous ‘firsts’ for Sarawak. We are the first and only state in Malaysia to create a Sovereign Fund. Sarawak is also the only state to provide free education up to the university level to its citizens starting in 2026. Through his negotiation skills, our Premier had managed to secure state-owned PETROS to be Sarawak’s sole aggregator for gas distribution. With the bulk of Malaysia’s gas deposit being in Sarawak, we can only see the government linked company (GLC) flying in the next few years.

At the same time, Abang Johari has also focused on other areas such as banking through the acquisition of Affin Bank, with Sarawak becoming the largest equity holder. Moreover, under his leadership, Sarawak reclaimed Bintulu Port, which is also seen as the richest port in Malaysia. Our Premier does not stop at generating revenue for Sarawak, but also takes responsibility for developing the state and raising the living standards of its people. To fast-track development, our Premier had introduced development agencies in 12 strategic areas of Sarawak, involving local leaders and elected representatives in planning and implementation.

Agencies such as the Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency, Upper Rajang Development Agency, Sri Aman Development Agency, and Betong Division Development Agency have significantly accelerated development, with Sarawakians witnessing unprecedented progress. To further facilitate physical development, Abang Johari had introduced the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART), which will change the public transportation landscape in Sarawak in the next few years. 

Additionally, the coastal highway development project was expedited as a second highway to complement the Pan Borneo Highway, with over 10 bridges approved and constructed, which when completed, will enhance the life and livelihood of those staying along the Coastal Highway. In agriculture sector, in recognising the risks of global food scarcity and leveraging Sarawak’s vast land, our Premier had introduced high yield paddy varieties capable of producing up to five planting cycles in two years, as compared to the traditional single annual harvest.  On the global stage, Abang Johari has significantly raised Sarawak’s profile. Under his esteemed leadership, Sarawak’s revenue and budget reached record levels, with the 2025 State Budget of RM15.8 billion being the largest in history.

Thousands of State Civil Service (SCS) servants attended the annual Premier of Sarawak's address at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK)

Our deepest appreciation to our right honourable premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg, who had shared with us this morning on key achievements that we had achieved and further outlined the direction of our government’s progress in realising the aspirations of Sarawak’s Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS2030). 

Our Premier’s message was crystal clear and was inspiring to all of us who had attended his annual address held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) in Kuching. We will continue to work harder in making Sarawak a prosperous, sustainable and inclusive economy for the well-being of all. Thousands of civil servants from throughout the local government ministries, agencies, departments and institutions had converged at BCCK to attend the function which was also attended by ministers from State Government and some from Federal Government. 

It is evident Sarawak’s prosperity is shared with the local folks, through various social initiatives such as grants for newborns, education aid to students, financial aid to low-income families and individuals, free tertiary education from 2026, and more.

Site visit to our Borneo Cricket Ground which is now ready to host the 2025 ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup matches

I had the opportunity to visit the Borneo Cricket Ground at Petra Jaya, Kuching with fine weather still prevailing at that time. The construction of the administrative block and spectators sitting area had been completed with the overall workmanship to be satisfactory.

Kudos to those who were involved in the speedy completion of the facility which is just in time for the forthcoming 2025 International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup group matches that are scheduled to be played there on 18 to 28 January.

The Sarawak government has allocated RM6.5 million to upgrade the which will serve as one of the hosting venues for future world-class events. I have also confirmed with our media friends yesterday that the physical construction work has been completed, with only some cleanup work and the issuance of the Occupation Permit (OP) remaining. 

The cricket field was already in use for last year's 21st edition of Malaysia Games (Sukma), but the additional facilities were only proposed to the State cabinet in September 2024. At the last September's cabinet meeting, I had presented the proposal specifically for this facility because it would have been a shame for us to host a world-class event using "sun tents". That is why we need this kind of facility and the Cabinet, without objection, approved it.

Our Borneo Cricket Ground now includes a broadcast room, café, changing rooms, and other amenities to accommodate international standards with th final touches, including the installation of furnitures and landscaping, are expected to be completed soon.

Courtesy visit by members of Miri Chinese Chamber of Commerce

I received a courtesy visit from members of Miri Chinese Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) members who came to our office recently. The group was led by Mr. Vincent Lu Yew Hee who is the chamber’s Vice Chairman I and he was accompanied by Mr. Ling Kie King who is Vice Chairman II, Mr. Sim Soon Tian - Vice Chairman III, Mr. Chong Kin Kyon - Secretary General; Captain Sim Yam Loong - General Affairs, Mrs. Pauline Yong - Executive Secretary and Mrs. Sin Yean Yean - Assistant Secretary at MCCC. 

Also present during the visit were Datuk Sebastian Ting, our Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry & Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP) and Datu Sherrina Haji Hussain, Permanent Secretary to the ministry.

Questioning the motives behind the poll by academician on Sarawak’s Dayak leaders

Yesterday I had slammed as “biased and unfair” the recent survey which had evaluated the performance of Dayak ministers and deputy ministers in Sarawak.

I have also questioned the motive of the poll conducted by Academy of Sciences Malaysia fellow, Professor Jayum Jawan which had generated mixed responses from our local including leaders. 

Why do you identify only Dayak ministers and deputy ministers? If you want to do an assessment, do it for everyone – the Malays and Chinese. I had mentioned these questions to our media friends who had seek my comments as well as reactions on this matter. I have said and suggested that there may be an agenda behind the “selective evaluation”. I have also took issue with the reported sample size of 183 respondents, saying it presented a “significant flaw” in the survey.

It was possible the pollster may have chosen his own test group, and that if one’s friends were anti-government “of course, they will say negative things”.

According to Professor Jayum, only three of the 18 Dayak ministers and deputy ministers at the federal and state levels had received an approval rating of 50 percent. and above for their performance. I have also questioned the timing of the survey and believed that it is linked to the upcoming state election.

We are close to the election and such findings could unfairly undermine the credibility of the ministers and the premier’s selection for the Cabinet,” he said, adding that it was inappropriate to single out Dayak ministers. Some of our Dayak deputy ministers in Sarawak government had recently reacted negatively to the ratings and questioned the methodology as well as the criteria used in the survey.