BY NURA V LORNA and NURIN PATRA
UNDER the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for the past eight years, Sarawak has introduced a series of economic recovery initiatives and financial strengthening measures.
These efforts have culminated in Sarawak’s largest-ever budget, with a record allocation of RM15.8 billion set for the 2025 fiscal year, marking a significant milestone in the state’s financial growth and stability.
In celebration of his eighth anniversary as Premier, Abang Johari shared his vision for Sarawak’s future, among other topics, during the ‘Eight Years with Premier Sarawak’ Townhall Session.
The event was moderated by Sayed Munawar Sayed Mustar, Prof Datuk Dr Siva Pandian, and Dr Aila Abdul Latif, who guided the discussions throughout the session.
Sayed Munawar: Premier, you were a reluctant politician. In the beginning, you felt like you didn’t want to enter politics. And today, it has been eight years as Premier, with extraordinary economic achievements reflected in the numbers.
If, back then, you had chosen not to enter politics, I believe Sarawak would have missed out on the golden touch of its very own golden child. It’s a loss of opportunity.
What I would like to ask of Datuk Patinggi is that over those 40 years, you went from being a reluctant politician to becoming a son of Sarawak, leading the state and achieving such remarkable milestones.
How would you express, in a few words, the emotions, and experiences of not wanting to enter politics initially but suddenly becoming Premier with such a profound impact?
Premier: This is Allah’s will, as I was chosen to be a candidate for the Satok constituency in 1981 at the age of 30. Honestly, I felt like I wanted to join, but at the same time, I didn’t. However, with the advice of the elders, I said, “Alright, I will give it a try.” From that moment, I participated in politics as a platform to fight for and defend the people of Sarawak while strengthening our young nation, Malaysia. Along the way, of course, there were ups and downs.
But with sincerity as the foundation, I have been able to carry on until today because it is through sincerity that we aim to develop our state and our country. Alhamdulillah, I was given the opportunity to succeed the late Pehin Sri Tan Sri Adenan Satem, and the people also entrusted me with continuing efforts to develop the state specifically and Malaysia in general. All of this stems from a pure heart for the people.
Sayed Munawar: Datuk Siva, Datuk Patinggi mentioned that he was just trying, but in the language of today’s youth, it’s actually an attempt, that’s no ordinary one.
Dr Siva: Datuk Patinggi, here we are again in this eight-year programme with you. Today is truly historic. Intention is often mentioned, and you yourself must have sincerity in your purpose.
Even in your keynote address, it was stated that we must act swiftly. While many expected an announcement about bonuses, perhaps following Manchester United’s victory over Arsenal this morning, we’ve also seen the appointment of a new head coach, Ruben Amorim, who moves as swiftly as you.
Do you feel there are similarities between the leadership styles of Manchester United’s Alex Ferguson, Ruben Amorim, and yourself today?
Premier: In the 70s, Manchester United was indeed strong, with a player named George Best. He was truly the best in the Manchester United team. But after that, Manchester United declined. Now, they are undergoing a restructuring exercise. Similarly, this is the case with Sarawak.
We are restructuring the economy so that the Ngap Sayot team will rise to bring success to Sarawak, both economically and socially. Therefore, we need skilled players. And today, I have my skilled (cabinet) team leading us to success.
Dr Siva: This is what we see after eight years under dynamic, pragmatic leadership, and the courage to make decisions. The important thing is the vision being carried forward. As Datuk Patinggi mentioned earlier, political stability is crucial.
When taking over leadership, there were two important things we observed. First, the strengthening of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), which became solid and stable. Then, three years later, we faced the Covid-19 pandemic. A lot was done to ensure the welfare of the people was protected, and to keep the economy moving forward.
These three factors perhaps highlight your credibility and the team that stands with you. In terms of management, the relationship with the federal government, particularly with Putrajaya, is undoubtedly important.
Perhaps you could elaborate a bit on the relationship between Sarawak and Putrajaya, especially with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is said to be friendly. Has this also contributed to fostering a better future for Sarawak, ensuring that there is no longer political realignment, perhaps?
Premier: I believe that over the past 60 years, the relationship between the Sarawak government and the federal has been well-established. And we maintain this relationship because what is important is that we develop our country and understand the role Sarawak can play in strengthening the unity of Malaysia. Indeed, when I took over in 2017, we faced many challenges.
Firstly, the political situation was not very stable, and then in 2018, a political issue arose that weakened the federal government. After that, Covid-19 emerged. So, in the span of three or four years, these were the challenges we faced. I had just taken over, and we had Covid-19. I said, “We have to solve this problem regarding Covid-19.”
And I tried to help the people who were affected. Sarawak is large, as big as West Malaysia. And you have to reach out to the people who may have been impacted by Covid-19. So, my colleagues and I in the cabinet decided to give priority to helping the people. That’s why we implemented the Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance (BKSS) to provide sufficient aid to those affected.
Secondly, vaccines. We were the first to request vaccines. At that time, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was the Prime Minister. I told the Prime Minister, “Give us the leeway to obtain the vaccines.” He asked, “Can you buy the vaccines?” I said I was ready with RM200 million from Sarawak’s allocation to purchase the vaccines, because lives are more important. And in my heart, I said, “InsyaAllah, I will be able to recover that RM200 million.” But the Prime Minister’s response was, “Never mind. Let the federal help you.” So, we got the vaccines. But the question was, how do we reach the people who are scattered?
So, Sarawak used its own allocation to reach the people and provide the vaccines. It was not easy—helicopters, boats, and land transport were all provided by the Sarawak government to ensure that the people could be reached and helped in such a critical situation. This continued until 2021.
And for us in the Sarawak government, we had completed our mandate. We sought a state election so that the people could grant us a mandate to continue our administration. And we knew there was an emergency. Eventually, His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, after receiving information from the relevant agencies, agreed to hold the election. Alhamdulillah, we were given the mandate by the people, winning 76 out of 82 seats—the largest victory in history.
After that, we, in the ‘Manchester United Sarawak’ team, formulated a policy on how we would recover our economy through engagement with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders. We established the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).
Sayed Munawar: What is not known is that the Premier follows the leadership style of Alex Ferguson.
Dr Aila: I am interested in two things. The first thing I would like to ask tonight is about the strategy on how we are going to catch up. We know that we have been somewhat behind, but the strategy to catch up is something I think is very important for all of us to understand.
And the second question is about the strategy for assessing uncertainty, because I believe there are many bold approaches. Intentions, perhaps we learn about intentions, but intentions might not be enough because courage comes with various risks. How do you actually analyse this for us to understand better?
Premier: We look at countries that are somewhat similar to us. If that country has managed to advance, I believe that if it shares similarities in terms of resources, size, and population, then we should learn from that country.
For me, I have studied countries in Scandinavia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark. If we analyse their size, it’s quite similar to Sarawak. Their population is around five million, and we have nearly three million. So we ask, why have they been able to advance? What has allowed them to progress to where they are today?
From my research, it’s determination and the right policy. And you know, Norway is similar to us. It is located in the North Sea, and its strength lies in oil and gas. The second factor is the quality of its people, who are skilled and experts in various fields. I also see that this has enabled Norway to thrive. When there’s an economic issue in the European Union (EU), Norway is not affected. Why? Because they have managed their resources well, in addition to oil and gas, they also have energy. Clean energy and the latest technology. That’s why I plan for Sarawak to become the Norway of the East.
Dr Aila: So, that’s the way to go. If we want to understand, it means we need the right benchmarking. And if I go back to what was mentioned earlier, we may be behind, but we want to catch up. Catching up doesn’t just mean those who are ahead, but also those who have been left behind or marginalised before. How do we actually take concrete actions or steps to make a more drastic change?
Premier: That’s what I see. If you want to reach that target or destination, you say, “I want to be there.” It means, irrespective of your speed, you need to consider all the factors that will push us forward. It means, first, we must feel, “I cannot be at the back all the time. I must be there.” And we must work hard.
That’s why, from Sarawak’s perspective, I seek ways to continue our efforts in all fields. First, legislation. Legislation, we have that in place. So, we use whatever provisions are available in our legislation, namely the Constitution of Malaysia and the Constitution of Sarawak.
Another thing is how we use these provisions to potentially generate additional income for our state, so that this income becomes the energy to develop our state.
Alhamdulillah, I see that there are special provisions in the Constitution of Malaysia that we can use to increase our revenue, and we reinvest that revenue back into the development of Sarawak. That’s why the people of Sarawak say we are busy building roads, bridges, providing water and electricity, so that the people can benefit from these developments and it becomes the platform for us to move forward even further.
Sayed Munawar: The Sarawak budget is very impressive. It’s the largest, even bigger than the combined budgets of the other four states. But what’s even more interesting are some online articles that provide an indication of how this episode might have started in 2014, when the political dynamics began to shift. I’m not sure if it’s a narrative, jealousy, or what, but there are many online writings that suggest Sarawak is taking advantage of the situation. I think this is an opportunity for you to respond to such perceptions.
Premier: I believe we should study this deeply. Sarawak receives a budget of RM15 billion. The question is, why does Sarawak get such an amount? This is an economic matter. If we can manage the economy well, the outcome, the result, will be positive.
The economy is about how you manage scarce resources. And Sarawak has its resources. We develop our economy with the advantages we have. So, I feel that the narrative is not correct. Because the economy is based on economic policies and how we manage our economy. If it is said that we take advantage of the situation, we are not taking advantage. History proves that since the political crisis in the Peninsular, we have emphasised political stability for the nation.
That’s why, initially, we said that Malaysia should have a strong government. When Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was appointed, we supported him. Before that, when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was in power, even though we were in the opposition, we still extended cooperation. After Muhyiddin, when Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was appointed, we were asked. I said, as long as he provides stability to the country, we will support him. And in the end, after the recent uncertain election, none of the groups was able to form the government.
His Majesty the King inquired. He wanted a unity government. We comply and obey the King. Therefore, GPS supported the unity government. That’s politics. And for us in Sarawak, we want Malaysia to be strong and stable, and we want a stable government. You might ask me why. It’s because we are facing significant challenges out there.
One of the issues is the changing climate. If we do not contribute to addressing climate change, it will affect us as well. Our economy will be impacted, and the world will also be affected, creating an environment that is not conducive.
I read that in 2024, our temperature was 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This is a warning from the Paris Agreement. If it goes beyond 1.5 degrees, our planet will be affected, and the lives of the people, the inhabitants of this world, will also be impacted. This is a major issue.
Secondly, geopolitical tension. Sarawak happens to face the South China Sea, which is a hotspot for the major powers, and Malaysia is within this region. If Malaysia were to face turmoil, what would happen?
This means that in the face of external problems affecting Malaysia, Malaysia must have a strong and stable government to defend and develop the country. This is the narrative.
And if Sarawak becomes so advanced, don’t be jealous! That’s the narrative of jealousy. Because Sarawak is already advanced. That’s why I feel this narrative needs to be examined. Usually, the narrative I see is one of jealousy. People say it’s envy. It’s a natural human tendency sometimes to feel envious.
When someone is doing well, we say, “Eh, what’s with him?” and then try to bring them down. That kind of intention is not acceptable. That’s why, if Sarawak is advanced and prosperous, Malaysia too will be advanced and prosperous.
Dr Aila: Okay, Datuk Patinggi, eight years is a period that I believe has been successfully navigated, even though at the beginning, there may have been doubts, uncertainties that were quite frightening to observers, for example. But we have seen the dedication and bravery in decisions made during critical moments, as Dr Siva mentioned earlier.
During Covid-19 and even during the formation of GPS itself, I salute you. I say, you definitely didn’t just follow the crowd. So, I believe that maturity, dedication, and bravery don’t come by themselves. In fact, the long journey before that unknowingly shaped it.
And I don’t intend to recount or reflect on past events, but I would like to look at it from a different perspective. I want to understand how you handled the various individual stories, party conflicts. Similarly, with the political relationships, which at times, I find quite difficult to comprehend, and quite complex, I believe, to understand.
So, I would like to learn a little about the figure who has been the backbone, accompanying and facing various challenges together. Perhaps this is exclusive for us. We would like to hear about the important role of Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang in supporting throughout the political journey of a leader who is often confronted with unpredictable challenges.
Premier: Luckily, I have a wife. A wife who is understanding. I thank my wife. Actually, my wife also has experience in the political arena because her father was a politician who founded the Parti Berjasa.
And she knows the pressure from her father. She has that experience. I’d like to tell a short story tonight.
When the late Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’kub asked me to be the candidate to replace the late Tan Sri Abang Abu Bakar Abang Mustapha, I told him, “You can find someone else.” After meeting with the late Tun Rahman, I went home, and my father-in-law, holding his pipe, asked, “You were with Tun Rahman for quite a while.” I replied, “Yes, it was quite long. Tun Rahman asked me to be the candidate.”
So, my late father-in-law said, “I don’t want to say you should do it, and I don’t want to say you shouldn’t. It’s up to you because I, too, was once in politics.”
This is my father-in-law. So, my wife just followed along. She actually just went along with it. And indeed, with the harmony between the two of us, we’ve managed to hold on until now, Alhamdulillah.
Dr Aila: That is the real lesson for all of us to learn behind a man who becomes a leader. It’s not a small amount of pressure that he goes through, and in reality, behind a great man as our leader, he is supported by an amazing woman who serves as an inspiration to all of us. Thank you.
Dr Siva: There are several questions. Many questions have come in, among them is one posed by Lex Alesis. The question is, “What is the Premier’s vision for the next leader to ensure that what we have now will become a continuous legacy?” You often speak about how what is being done now is a continuation of the work of the late Adenan Satem. Perhaps that is what Lex Alesis wants to ask.
Premier: There must indeed be continuity. However, as we continue our efforts, we must take into account the changing environment. Times will change. Right now, we are in a period of energy transition. This means that my colleagues and I in the cabinet are working on policies to determine how Sarawak can contribute to the energy transition.
That’s why, before I became the Chief Minister and Premier, I read about hydrogen. So, I went to Frankfurt with the Linde company to learn about new energy. When I met with the scientists there, I said, “In the future, automobiles will be powered by water. By water.”
And the scientists there didn’t answer me on the first day. But on the second day, they gave me a gift. A small car model powered by water, that is, hydrogen. I asked, “Why were you silent yesterday?” They explained that hydrogen is part of the water molecule. Hydrogen and oxygen. And I am confident that the cleanest energy will be hydrogen.
When I returned, I implemented it. Hydrogen as an alternative energy to fossil fuel. And Sarawak is the first state, perhaps even in this region, to use public transport powered by hydrogen.
Recently, together with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar and the Prime Minister of Japan, we initiated a major project where we will produce hydrogen using the Methylcyclohexane (MCH) process. The Methylcyclohexane process involves liquefied hydrogen to generate energy.
Secondly, when hydrogen is mixed with carbon, it will produce synthetic gas, which can also become a new energy source. Alhamdulillah, the Prime Minister of Japan has invited Sarawak to collaborate in producing ammonia, and moving forward, we will use Feedstock Hydrogen. InsyaAllah, in May, Malaysia and Japan will sign an MoU for cooperation between Japan and Malaysia, where Sarawak will play an important role on behalf of Malaysia.
Dr Siva: I noticed in your keynote address that you emphasised energy, where Sarawak will become a green energy hub, Sarawak as the battery of Asean. All of this focuses on energy. To what extent will this also open up more opportunities for employment, production, and position Sarawak on the international stage? As explained, alongside Japan, will there be other areas to explore using energy?
Premier: We must look at history, from the Industrial Revolution to mass production to digitalisation, all of which require energy. And coincidentally, the world today is facing issues with weather and climate. In Baku recently, they are also working on solutions for energy. It seems that everyone agrees that renewable energy is important.
So, for the future, after the ongoing development happening worldwide, there will be a migration towards a new state of affairs. This includes data centers and data storage, which are crucial for the future, as well as the aerospace aviation sector. These key sectors require renewable energy. Therefore, the leaders after me must study the economic landscape that will enable Sarawak to continue its efforts in a changed environment.
Dr Aila: Datuk Patinggi, I believe your explanation earlier ties in with a question we received from Kua Chek Seng. The question is, “Is Sarawak ready to go into the space economy?”
Premier: Right now, many satellites in orbit belong to various countries. These satellites collect data from various sources and transmit it to users. Therefore, in an economy based on blockchain, data connectivity, data aggregation, or data centers, this becomes an important matter.
And to launch satellites into orbit, it’s better to be closer to the equator. For Malaysia, coincidentally, Sarawak is near the equator. This means the federal government has considered and recognised that Sarawak has potential. When I saw this, I thought, “Ah, we have a chance,” to launch satellites. So, I established the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at iCATS University, and we are encouraging our children to study Aerospace Engineering.
Secondly, we are using a low-carbon process to make textiles from fabric gas, which is used by astronauts. Currently, we are collaborating with a company, HighChem, in Tokyo to produce low-carbon materials, based on chemicals, for creating textiles used by astronauts. So, maybe in the future, we’ll have “Made in Sarawak” fabric for astronauts.
Sayed Munawar: I’m struggling, trying to build the storyboard for this townhall so that it’s coherent, because there are many follow-up questions. One thing I’ve noticed in Datuk Patinggi’s character and personality is that you know the details. And I get the impression that you know. It means giving instructions to such an extent that it might appear like micro-managing.
But you are also a person with a big vision. However, in order to move forward, we cannot rely on you alone, on what you know alone. You need to have a support system. I want to relate this to the point you made about Government-Linked Companies (GLC) for the years to come, “You have to be on your own. You have to be independent. No longer dependent on what is provided by the state.”
This is a big issue because many of the visions right now seem to be trying to extract ideas from your way of thinking, then implement and translate them. This is a new dimension that may become a challenge, as the question raised by Dr Siva earlier addresses legacy.
And you also mentioned ‘the leaders after me.’ So, my question is very loaded, Datuk Patinggi, too many aspects. But this is something rare, in my opinion, your ability and authority to translate these visions so that excellence can continue in the years to come.
Premier: I think the most important thing is the basic economy and how we view the changing economic climate. We need to adapt ourselves to these economic changes. That means you have to update yourself with the latest knowledge that is in line with the changes.
When I became Chief Minister, the first thing I did was introduce the digital economy. Many people said, “What is Abang Jo talking about?” But I saw the potential of the digital economy from my readings. So, we focused on this, and when Covid-19 hit, I saw even the elderly were becoming tech-savvy. They were ordering fish online. They paid using S Pay Global (formerly known as Sarawak Pay). The people of Sarawak can handle challenges when they are presented with them.
This is what has changed our situation, and I saw that digital applications, driven by necessity, made people learn. That’s why for the Sumbangan Keperluan Asas Sarawak (SKAS), I used S Pay.
For those who didn’t know how, we taught them. If the internet was lacking, we strengthened it. This is how we do things. And ultimately, my dream is for everyone in Sarawak to use digital transactions.
Sayed Munawar: And I would like to express something, Datuk Patinggi. I asked a question, and I felt like it was complex. But when you answered so simply, just like that, it made me nervous to hear it. Turns out, the answer wasn’t difficult at all. It’s just straightforward. Just like that, it’s simply basic economics.
Dr Siva: Datuk Patinggi, recently, there have been discussions about Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) being perceived as the sole authority, while in reality, the strategic collaboration between Petros and Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) could yield better outcomes. Some have described it as an act of takeover or competition.
What is your response to those who exploit sentiments and perceptions regarding the Petros issue?
Premier: Yes, Petronas is indeed a national company that we must cooperate with and support in the oil and gas-based industry. At the same time, we see in the constitution that this area falls within Sarawak’s jurisdiction. If we refer to the ‘9th Schedule,’ if I’m not mistaken, it’s 8J.
If there is mining in any area in Malaysia, it is heavily dependent on the authority under the state, specifically 2C. So, when I look at that, it means before any extraction happens, permission must be sought first. “Assalamualaikum, may I extract?” That’s why, since Petros is a state company and we want the state to participate in this industry, Petros plays its role in accordance with the provisions of the law.
The Constitution is the supreme law. That is why we refer to what is known as the ‘aggregator distribution of gas.’ From the constitutional and legal provisions, this authority belongs to Sarawak. So, we say, “Petros, you handle this task.” That’s why we state that Petros is the sole aggregator of gas distribution in Sarawak.
Let me clarify here. Petronas still plays its role in upstream activities. We are only managing the distribution of gas. This gas is highly utilised by us for Sustainable and Affordable Value (SAV) and for us to generate energy.
As the late Tok Nan used to say, we just watch. So, I am replacing Tok Nan, and insyaAllah, we will not just watch, we will participate in the oil and gas industry. And collaborate with Petronas. That’s why, from a legal framework, I believe there’s nothing wrong with Petros collaborating with Petronas. At the same time, Petronas must respect Petros. They are there because of the constitution. That’s all.
Dr Siva: In that case, Datuk Patinggi, what is the current status of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63)? Has it brought any benefits to Sarawak?
Premier: Yes. In 1963, there was an order from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Where any rights of Sarawak are managed by Sarawak. And in the Sarawak Constitution, Article 47, ‘Succession of property.’
On Malaysia Day, properties under the colonies were ‘vested.’ They use the word ‘vest’ in Sarawak. This means we own them, right? And we can share with others to manage them. What’s wrong with that? Petronas collaborates with Petros.
Recently, with the Prime Minister of Japan, we discussed that the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in the area near Mukah will be jointly managed with Japan, Petros, and Petronas. There’s no issue. And we have the authority to manage this aggregator. It’s us. And we share it the same way. What’s wrong with sharing with us? We also have no problem sharing with them. For the greater good.
Dr Aila: I’ve heard a lot, actually, about what we need to do. It means, in terms of participation, it will require many parties, especially the local people. And many things that we didn’t do before because we were still ‘the old us.’ We need a lot of new knowledge, to become new people in order to achieve many things.
And this cannot happen just like that without education. And if we observe, education is very close to your heart. So, I understand that we’ve heard that free education in Sarawak will be implemented in 2026 without disrupting the existing economic structure. In fact, it will become a model for other states to follow.
And you also mentioned that if we want to get out of poverty, the answer lies in education. What is the future of education for the children of Sarawak?
Premier: Yes, first of all, this is the situation. Many children from Sarawak work overseas. They are all very intelligent. But they work abroad because our economy doesn’t align with what they’ve studied. If agriculture still relies on hoes, we use hoes. But if they’re trained to operate tractors and harvesters, their salaries are substantial. But of course, our economy must improve.
That’s why we must elevate our economy to a level where these smart children from Sarawak can return and serve. Take the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) as an example. The engineers who worked on the Light Rail Transit (LRT) in Kuala Lumpur have returned. And they are now working with Sarawak Metro because there are opportunities here. Similarly, with Sarawak Methanol, those who worked abroad have returned.
But if your economy remains the same, then it will stay the same. But if we want to implement aerospace, satellite economies, data centers, we must have enough workforce. And these are important disciplines. That’s why Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are important. Finance is important, law is important. Because the situation has changed.
So, we need the children of Sarawak to take on these strategic fields. And our children are actually capable. I conducted an experiment at the Sibu University of Technology (UTS), where children of farmers, fishermen, and villagers couldn’t continue their studies at UTS because they didn’t have the means. So, I tried, and I gave them special bursaries.
It turns out, they took on strategic fields, including finance, accounting, and engineering. They graduated. At a convocation ceremony, if I’m not mistaken, two years ago, a mother and father came to me and said, “Thank you. Without the bursary, my child might not have become an engineer from a village.”
That’s why I feel, insyaAllah, if Sarawak can, and I believe we can, with hard work by 2026, I will provide free education for Sarawak’s children pursuing higher education at the universities of Sarawak.
Even now, we are helping our students. About 25,000 of them. We give them a stipend of RM1,200 each. So, there’s no problem. Even if they study until midnight and are hungry, at least with the pocket money, they can buy instant noodles at midnight.
Sayed Munawar: I see that Sarawak’s ability to offer free education, considering it has its own private universities, is a very strategic opportunity. Because in Malaysia, there are certain sectors where we need talent, but there are no people to fill those positions.
With the free education offered by Sarawak, I believe that Sarawak’s students will, through this free education approach, eventually fill strategic positions not only for Sarawak but also in sectors like semiconductor.
We are still short of 2,500 engineers every year. I believe, as Datuk Patinggi mentioned earlier, the strength of Sarawak, if done correctly, will not only benefit Sarawak but also Malaysia as a whole. Because Sarawak has that capacity.
Premier: Indeed, I believe that poverty, if we want to eradicate it, comes from education. So, if a child succeeds, it means the household income will increase, and they may no longer be poor. At the very least, their life will be sustainable. Therefore, in my opinion, to eradicate poverty, it must be through education.
The second point is, many children from Sarawak, let’s say they choose economics as their field. But they rely on the University Central Unit (UPU). UPU doesn’t offer economics, but maybe they are offered a course they don’t like. That’s the problem. Maybe they end up in arts, but they don’t like it, they want economics. So, they are in a dilemma.
But their father says, as long as “you get into university, that’s enough.” If that’s the case, unemployment may increase. That’s why, at Sarawak universities, we don’t depend on UPU. What do you want to study? Oh, you want to study aviation? Just join. What do you want to study? Economics? Go ahead, join the economics faculty. You want to study, let’s say, finance? Go ahead, join finance.
Because our economy must have management. And this will develop us. That’s why it is our determination in GPS, my cabinet, that by 2026, free education will be provided to the children of Sarawak.
Sayed Munawar: Datuk Patinggi, we will now give the floor to the audience who wish to ask questions.
Audience (Asriq): How is the government ensuring that affordable housing options are available for youth, and what steps will the government be taking to counter the increasing difficulty of home ownership, especially for first-time buyers, going into 2025 and beyond?
Audience (Head Village, Afrida): How is the state government involving rural residents in the decision-making process related to the development of their communities?
Audience (Member of the Student Representative Council of Politeknik Kuching Sarawak, Adilah): We often hear the Premier mention PCDS and the 2030 target. After 2030, what’s next?
Premier: To answer the first question, we have a policy to open up areas for housing development. The areas we identify must have the necessary infrastructure, especially connectivity, public transport, accessibility via roads, and then we can open up these areas.
Today, because we are fortunate, we are opening up new housing areas. In Kuching, for example, in Sungai Tiram and the resettlement of Kampung Seberang Hilir, as well as rural areas like Tambirat, Kabong, Mukah, Dalat, and others. We have a policy for housing development.
The price of houses is indeed high now. What we are doing now is opening up identified areas for housing development, and we are developing the infrastructure, including earth embankments, electricity supply, water supply, roads, and other important infrastructure. Usually, these housing areas cover an area of around 0.12 hectares. So, we develop them with complete infrastructure.
We only build houses. The public can buy the houses, and the initial costs, such as the embankments and others, are covered by the government and are not included in the house price.
Secondly, we can get financial assistance from Mutiara Mortgage & Finance for home loans.
For these houses, the price is around RM120,000 to RM150,000 for a single house, with a land premium of RM2,500. So, they can get a loan. When buying a house, a deposit is required, but the government provides a RM10,000 deposit for free.
We only cover the remaining balance. So, the public gets a single house with three rooms, enough for a family. And, insyaAllah, because of our fortune, we give back to the people.
If we follow the market price, the house, including the land infrastructure, would cost at least RM300,000, but they only pay RM120,000. The rest is covered by GPS.
For the second question, regarding rural development, the answer is that we have established development agencies where elected representatives will propose any developments in their areas.
For example, in Kota Samarahan, we have the Samarahan Development Agency, and Datuk Karim, who is here, is its chairman. They work together with the villagers to decide which projects to prioritise.
We have the Samarahan Development Agency, and Datuk Karim is here, as the chairman, working together with the villagers to decide which project should be developed first. I have allocated a budget of RM1.5 billion to the agency. Once the funds are used up and the projects are completed, they will certainly be continued, and we will provide additional allocations for rural areas. This means it’s a bottom-up approach. The macro part of it is the government. This is the way it works from one power.
In Kuching, for example, we have Samarahan, the Kuching outskirts agency, and in Limbang, Dalat, Mukah, and other areas, we have agencies. If I’m not mistaken, we have about nine agencies that operate on a bottom-up approach. I believe this is a new method I have introduced.
So, it is closer to the people, and the people receive basic necessities within their respective areas, including what they need. This does not include the supply of water, electricity, roads, and bridges, which are the state’s responsibility. So, to answer, there is indeed a connection between the grassroots and the higher levels of government.
Number three, regarding PCDS after 2030, I don’t know. I am already 74 years old, though I still feel young. That means there are five more years until 2030, but Parti Pesaka Bumiputera (PBB) and GPS must have a new generation of leaders. This new generation will take the lead in continuing the foundation laid by PCDS. I am confident that we have leaders who will adapt Sarawak to a new era, a more challenging era. So, beyond PCDS, I leave it to you, the younger generation, to continue our policy.
Sayed Munawar: Today, Sarawak heavily relies on natural gas and petroleum resources, but we also know that in the coming years, the value of this sector will diminish and will be replaced by renewable energy sectors, which are also being driven by the state of Sarawak.
So, it definitely should not be a zero-sum game where we advance one and leave the other behind. The transition process will eventually meet at a crossroads. What is your strategy, from your perspective, to ensure that we do not lose strategic value while developing during this transitional era?
Premier: I was in Japan last month. Energy experts there said – Japan imports Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) – in five years, oil and LNG will become sunset industries. If they decline, there must be alternatives. And these alternatives are energy sources that do not harm the climate. That means, clean energy.
Clean energy will emerge in this way. Another energy source being used is nuclear. If you use modular nuclear reactors, you will need water as a cooling agent for nuclear power. But there is already new technology, as I mentioned earlier, where carbon and hydrogen, when combined, produce synthetic gas. And hydrogen is abundant in water.
This means that future leadership must be able to utilise these resources. In Sarawak, we have Batang Ai, we have Baleh, we have Murum, we have Bakun—there is plenty of water. Just extract the water, break it down through an electrolyzer (this is expensive) and produce energy.
Secondly, will electrolyzers become expensive? I was informed by Japan that they are conducting research now, and by 2030, there will be the largest production of electrolyzers. There is already a new membrane that will reduce the cost of electrolysis. Just water. Not all countries have water.
I am thankful for our situation and grateful to Allah for providing us with so much water in Sarawak. What leaders must do is study.
Produce what the world needs. For all you know, I may be wrong but the next Saudi Arabia could be Sarawak. Maybe. We can’t know because it depends on energy, oil. And today, as you know, the value of oil has already dropped. I feel that future leaders must be willing to read.
They must read. The Prophet advised that if you want knowledge, even go to the land of China. So if you want knowledge, just go and find it. Just read. I’m told I’m like a scientist. I’m not a scientist. Some say I’m like a lawyer. I’m not a lawyer. It’s okay. I have many lawyers behind me. Many scientists behind me. The smart children of Sarawak are behind me.
And I hope they will also become the key players in the future. After me, there’s Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, my colleagues here. We are getting older. We need someone to take over.
Sayed Munawar: Datuk Patinggi, I feel I cannot summarise it because it would be a loss, as what you’ve shared is already so beautifully put. The synopsis you provided is clear. However, I would like to mention this: When the Premier leads the state and brings up the electrolyser, it is a significant thought-provoking challenge for the people.
Because not everyone understands it. But I think it’s good because, at the very least, it guides public discourse, including on the matter of the rural areas. What does it mean that these ideas come from a Premier who is considered a scientist, even though he is not a scientist?
It’s like the old days when Kennedy said, “We have to go to the moon.” Not because we want to go, but because it builds a vision. And I would also like to conclude this session.
Datuk Patinggi often mentions sincerity. I think this is an important spiritual element. Sincerity and then prayer. This is a combination of hope and effort. And in the end, all the strength of thought, spiritual strength, energy, and talent, if harnessed together, will hopefully come true.
And I pray for blessings upon Datuk Patinggi’s leadership, and blessings for all the children of Sarawak, that they may have golden children who will lead at this level.
