Sarawak delegation study visit to INACRAFT2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia

Recently I have led the delegation from Sarawak to Jakarta, Indonesia recently to study and explore their thriving handicraft sector in the efforts to understand what had contribute to the industry’s success. Our visit there to coincide with this year’s Jakarta International Handicraft Trade Fair (INACRAFT2025) at the Jakarta Convention Centre (JCC) which was also an eye opener.

The five-day trade fair had entered its 25th edition and is widely regarded as one of Southeast Asia’s largest and most successful craft exhibitions. Our delegation had good insights on how Indonesia has established itself as a global leader in traditional crafts, with a well developed eco-system that supports artisans through government policies, funding and industry associations.

The Indonesian authorities and craft organisations had given strong support in terms of providing technical training, market access and financial support to artisans. Such initiatives will ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of the industry in the global marketplace.

We had also participated in discussions with our various counterparts which include those from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Exporters and Producers of Indonesian Handicraft, and provincial craft councils from Yogyakarta, Bali and Kalimantan.

Together we had explored potential collaboration and future joint projects namely artist exchanges, joint exhibitions and cross-border market access. We had also observed the effective role played by Indonesia’s tourism sector in promoting crafts as part of heritage tourism which we could emulate to further develop the creative industry in the near future.

Official launch of books on life journey of our Head of State, Tuan Yang Terutama Tun Pehin Sri Dr Haji Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar

We were delighted to be invited for the official launch of two books on the life journey our Head of State, Tuan Yang Terutama Tun Pehin Sri Dr Haji Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar which was held at the Banquet Hall of Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Hall in Petra Jaya, Kuching yesterday evening.

The two interesting books are titled “365 Days in Astana: The Story and Portraits of TYT Sarawak Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar” and “Pejuang Sejati: Dari Rimba Ke Astana”. Among those who were present during the books’ launch was Premier of Sarawak, the right honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg who also spoke during the function. 

According to our esteemed premier, the books are not a merely a documentation of Tun Pehin Sri Wan Junaidi’s career and life achievements but also it highlighted his values of leadership, perseverance, and patriotism that should inspire the present and future generations. Throughout his career and life’s journey, our Head of State had served as a legal practitioner, politician, minister, and later as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak in which he has consistently demonstrated exceptional wisdom, humility, and compassion.

Visiting temporary relief centres in Asajaya together with chairman of State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC)

This morning I had accompanied the Chairman of our Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas who visited the Temporary Relief Centres (PPS) at SK Sampun Tembun and SK Haji Kelali Semera for the flood victims in Asajaya district. As of February 1 there are a total of 63 temporary shelters had been set up across the seven divisions in Sarawak, accommodating 12,692 flood victims from 3,696 families. Datuk Amar Douglas is also our Deputy Premier of Sarawak and he had been visiting the various PPS to see the conditions for the evacuees affected by the flood conditions in Kuching, Samarahan, Bintulu, Sibu and Miri. 

According to him, the SDMC and the relevant agencies are monitoring the situation to ensure food and other essentials reach affected villages, especially those where roads have been impacted. If water levels continue to rise, residents will need to evacuate to relief centres but the weather conditions had improved with water levels in Bintulu town had dropped with two relief centres in Bau have been closed.

Datuk Amar Douglas who is also our Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development had instructed the Public Works Department (PWD) to repair 20 damaged sections of the Pan Borneo Highway between Serian and Balai Ringin and is currently carrying out repairs on the affected roads.

Visiting the Temporary Evacuation Centre and meeting victims of the recent floods and landslide tragedy in Miri

Yesterday we had accompanied our Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Binti Mohd. Sanusi in visiting the Temporary Evacuation Centre located at the Red Crescent Centre in Miri. We were in Miri for our Chinese New Year visits there and dropped by at the relief centre to console victims of the recent landslide tragedy at Kampung Bukit Lereng, Miri where five of our local folks from the same family had perished. Our governor had also handed over food donations to the victims and gave words of encouragement for them be strong and patient in facing the recent calamities due to incessant rainfalls that our state had experienced the past week.

Chinese New Year visit to home of Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, the Minister of Transport Sarawak (MoTS)

Our Chinese New Year’s house visits in Miri which was held on second day of the festive holidays had included the home of Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, the Minister of Transport Sarawak (MoTS) who is also the state assemblyman of Senadin constituency. We had accompanied our Head of State, His Excellency Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi who had spent the second day of the Lunar New Year visits in Miri. We thank the kind hosts and his family members for having received our visit with warm hospitality.

State-level Chinese New Year open house at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK)

Thousands of our folks had attended the state-level Chinese New Year open house at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) which was graced by Sarawak's Head of State, His Excellency Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife, Tok Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi. The event was also attended by Premier of Sarawak, His Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg and his wife together with members of our State Cabinet of Ministers.  

Despite the incessant rainfalls which we had been experiencing the past week, many of our local folks took the opportunity to attend the open house and met the respective state ministers together with various community leaders.

Visiting home of Dato Richard Wee Liang Huat, President of Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations (SFCA)

Earlier this afternoon, my wife and I had accompanied our Head of State, His Excellency Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife, Tok Puan Datuk Patinggi to visit the residence of Dato Richard Wee Liang Huat, the president of Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations (SFCA) and a member of the board of trustees of Yayasan Sarawak. Upon our arrival, we were also welcomed by the host's wife, Datin Dona Drury Wee and their mother Datin Amar Katryn Wee. Thank you to Dato Richard Wee and his family for having received our visit in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration.

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.

Getting excited with the forthcoming Int'l Cricket Council (ICC) T20 Women's Under-19 World Cup tourney preliminary matches in Kuching

It was a pleasure for us to have met the right honourable Tunku Tan Sri Imran Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Jaafar who is Patron of Malaysia Cricket Association (MCA) who is presently in Kuching city. He was with us at yesterday’s press conference on the forthcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup to be held in Kuching on 18 to 28 January 2025. 

We also had also officially unveiled the championship trophy which is now available for our local folks to see at Plaza Merdeka shopping mall and Viva City shopping mall. Kuching City is also the last leg of the trophy’s tour which had covered Kuala Lumpur and Johor before arriving here last night.  

Teams from New Zealand, South Africa, Nigeria and Samoa are coming to Sarawak where in total 10 out of 42 matches in this year’s cricket world cup are to be played here. All matches are to be broadcasted “Live” to over 180 countries via Star Sports channel and through ICC official platforms and applications.

I had also congratulated our Sarawak women’s cricket team’s victory in the recent MCA 2025 Women’s T20 Interstate championship where they defeated Selangor by 44 runs in the finals. The continuous efforts by our Sarawak Cricket Association (SCA) supported by the Sarawak State Sport Council and Sarawak Sport Corporation, are expected to boost cricket’s popularity and reach across Sarawak especially among the youngsters and students. 

We also extended best wishes to the Malaysian team captain, Nur Dania Syuhada who is a Sarawakian and the Malaysia women’s cricket team as they prepare for the World Cup. Our local folks are invited to attend the 10 cricket matches, which will feature the best women’s under-19 cricket teams from all over the world. 

Welcoming top brass from Malaysia Youth Council (MBM) during their courtesy visit to our office recently

Recently I have received a courtesy visit from supreme council members of Malaysia Youth Council (MBM) led by their president, Mohd Izzat Afifi Abd Hamid. I have welcomed MBM’s intentions of strengthening the good relationship and cooperation with Sarawak United National Youth Organization (SABERKAS). Such initiative is will benefit youth development in all aspects. Being the President of Sarawak United National Youth Organization (SABERKAS), we look forward to fostering close cooperation especially through joint programs that involve youth in Sarawak.

We had a press conference together with MBM’s top brass during their courtesy visit and had mentioned to our media friends that SABERKAS is always in touch with MBM to further strengthen cordial relations and for ongoing discussions on issues related to youth matters.

It is also beneficial because we can carry out cooperation in developing the youth in Malaysia whether in Peninsular Malaysia or in Sabah and Sarawak. SABERKAS is also in the discussion stage to hold youth programs in Peninsular Malaysia or in countries in the archipelago or Southeast Asia. We have our own agendas either in Sarawak. 

Previously we had also held programs in Johor and Sabah. We will first look at the situation and are also in contact with youth organizations outside Malaysia, that is in the countries of the archipelago and Southeast Asia. We may start from there and to consider the possibility of venturing into bigger programs.