KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg likened his leadership style to that of legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, with his focus on building a strong team and strategic vision for Sarawak’s progress.
He described Sarawak’s ongoing economic restructuring as similar to the transformations Manchester United underwent to regain its dominance.
“During the 70s, Manchester United was formidable, and George Best was an exceptional player. But after that, the team faced a decline. Today, they are undergoing a restructuring exercise.
“Similarly, Sarawak is restructuring its economy to achieve success both economically and socially,” he said during the ‘Eight years with Premier Sarawak’ Townhall Session at Hikmah Exchange and Event Centre here last night (Jan 13).
The Premier said that assembling a capable team is crucial to drive the state’s initiatives, noting that his cabinet team is well-prepared to contribute to Sarawak’s success.
Reflecting on the state’s challenges over the past six decades, Abang Johari stressed the importance of maintaining strong ties with the federal government while addressing Sarawak’s development needs.
He recounted the hurdles his administration faced since taking office in 2017, including political instability and the Covid-19 pandemic.
“From political uncertainties in 2018 to the unprecedented impact of Covid-19, we faced numerous hurdles.
“But we prioritised helping the people. Initiatives like Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance (BKSS) were implemented to support those affected, and we took bold steps to secure vaccines to ensure public health and safety,” he explained.
Abang Johari also detailed the state’s efforts to overcome logistical challenges in delivering aid and vaccines to its dispersed population, utilising helicopters, boats, and land transport.
Following these efforts, Sarawak held its state election in 2021, securing a historic mandate with 76 out of 82 seats.
This overwhelming victory, he said, enabled the government to launch the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, a roadmap for sustainable growth and improved quality of life for Sarawakians.
“After that, our ‘Manchester United Sarawak’ team formulated strategies to recover our economy through engagement with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders.
“We established the PCDS 2030 framework,” he added.
