KUCHING: Sarawak should consider taking full control of Affin Bank and relocating its headquarters to Kuching to strengthen the state’s financial presence, says political analyst Professor James Chin.
He suggested that the move would not only bring high-paying jobs to Sarawak but also symbolise the state’s growth.
Chin also proposed renaming the bank to reflect its Sarawakian identity, should the state succeed in acquiring full ownership.
“Sarawak doesn’t own the bank. I think there’s a lot of misunderstanding. Sarawak is the largest shareholder, but it’s not the majority shareholder of all the shares in Affin Bank.
“In the old days, Sarawak had a lot of banks, like Hock Hua Bank and Bank Utama, which were headquartered here.
“Assuming they can gain complete control, they might also consider renaming Affin Bank to something more closely linked to Sarawak,” he told Sarawak Tribune when contacted.
Chin, a professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania, Australia, was asked about what Sarawak can look forward to from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) this year.
Reflecting on Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s New Year speech, Chin said the state government is prioritising infrastructure development.
He also pointed to the ongoing MASwings deal, which is expected to be finalised in the first quarter of the year, and the anticipated permanent agreement between state-owned Petros and Petronas.
“The Premier has outlined major projects such as a deep-sea port and a new international airport.
“It’s very much a strategy of continuing all the major investments they plan to make. They’re probably hoping to get everything off the ground,” he said.
Additionally, Chin stressed the importance of decentralisation in education and healthcare, calling for greater autonomy in these sectors to better address local needs.
He also urged the state government to address bureaucratic inefficiencies.
“Many Sarawakians are burdened by federal agency paperwork. Even within Sarawak, the bureaucracy needs to become more flexible and nimble to support economic growth,” he added.
Pushing for a greater representation, Chin stressed the need for Sarawak and Sabah to secure 35 per cent of parliamentary seats in the Dewan Rakyat, a key issue under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“They should continue to push for that. They should also continue to push for decentralisation, especially in the area of education and health. I think it’s really, really important,” said Chin.
