KUCHING: Sarawak’s long-term economic planning will not stop in 2030 but will continue beyond 2035 and into 2050, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He expressed confidence that with the full development of strategic assets, Sarawak will emerge as a major economic powerhouse in Asia, benefiting future generations.
He highlighted the state’s success in acquiring and managing key assets, including the Bakun Hydroelectric Dam, Bintulu Port, Affin Bank and MASWings.
“The GPS government is also set to develop two more strategic assets – a deep-sea port and a new international airport in Tanjung Embang, Kuching – with an investment of RM100 billion.
“The business model for MASWings or AirBorneo is not solely profit-driven but serves as infrastructure development, given that Sarawak is located on an island and highly depends on air connectivity with other regions,”he said in his Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2025 message.
Abang Johari also emphasised Sarawak’s significant contribution to the national economy, particularly in the oil and gas sector, which accounts for 10 per cent of Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Since 2019, by imposing a five per cent Sales and Services Tax (SST) on petroleum products, Sarawak has been able to enjoy more benefits from its oil and gas resources, beyond just receiving a five per cent royalty.
“Additionally, a commercial agreement between PETRONAS and PETROS has enabled Sarawak to share profits on a 50-50 basis with PETRONAS through PETRONAS Carigali,” he said.
He also referred to the recent recognition of Sarawak as the sole gas aggregator in the state, as stipulated under the Distribution Gas Ordinance (DGO) 2016, with the approval of the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Although this matter is complex and requires detailed negotiations, I am confident that PETRONAS and the Sarawak government, through PETROS, can resolve it in a win-win manner, ensuring a fair wealth distribution between the Sarawak government and the federal government,” he said.
Meanwhile, through the Sarawak Gas Roadmap, Abang Johari said the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government is committed to ensuring that Sarawak’s natural gas resources are optimally utilised to drive local economic growth.
“Under this roadmap, four gas hubs have been identified – Bintulu, Samalaju, Miri, and Kuching – where downstream activities and bunkering services for the shipping industry will be intensified.
“Downstream activities have already begun in Tanjung Kidurong, Bintulu, with the development of Sarawak’s first methanol plant, which has a production capacity of 1.8 million metric tons per year.
“The second plant in Tanjung Kidurong will process natural gas into ammonia, a key source of hydrogen gas for export to foreign markets, particularly Japan,” he said.
