KUCHING: Under the stewardship of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Sarawak has made significant strides in its journey of development.
He has implemented a series of transformative initiatives, from focusing on safeguarding the state’s rights, advancing its economy, and enhancing the well-being of its people.
In conjunction with the Premier’s 8th anniversary in office, the Sarawak Tribune has put together initiatives introduced and successfully implemented by Abang Johari that have greatly benefited the state.
Defending the rights of Sarawak in the Federation of Malaysia based on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Agreement, Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report, the Sarawak Constitution, and the Federal Constitution
- Fighting for the interests, rights, and position of Sarawak
- Diversifying state revenue through the implementation of sales tax
- Increasing ownership of 10 per cent shares in Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s (Petronas) ninth liquefied natural gas production train (Train 9) and raising the share ownership in MLNG 3 from 10 per cent to 25 per cent
Strengthening the government’s service with efficiency and integrity, alongside good governance
- Introducing the Sarawak environmental sustainability plan
- Developing new economic initiatives
- Establishing the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Sarawak
- Empowering integrity in government project management
- Strengthening clean and sustainable environmental management
- Providing funds for the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK)
- Increasing salaries for community leaders and allowances for village chiefs
- Introducing a flat rate of RM1 for bus services
- Enhancing biodiversity research
- Establishing Sarawak TV station (TVS)
- Establishing Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA)
- Empowering forest law enforcement
- Planning the construction of the Sarawak Archive Centre
- Planning the construction of the dyslexia centre
- Planning the construction of the infectious disease research centre
- Providing mobile banking services
- Launching of Service Sarawak
Diversifying strategies and initiatives to shape the future of Sarawak’s economy
- Allocating the highest financial resources for development in the Sarawak State Budget
- Organising the Sarawak International Digital Economy Conference (IDECS)
- Implementing the Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy Document 2018-2022
- Establishing the Sarawak Economic Action Council (SEAC)
- Setting up of Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS)
- Expanding new sources of income through carbon trading
- Establishing several Sarawak trade offices
- Introducing the Sarawak Sovereign Wealth Future Fund
- Establishing Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS)
- Creating the PETROS multi-refuelling station
- Producing liquefied petroleum gas or PETROS gas cylinders
Modernising and commercialising the agriculture, livestock, and fishing sectors
- Empowering agriculture to increase output and improve the income of the people
- Allocating funds for agricultural development
- Implementing the Integrated Agricultural Development Programme
- Strengthening the capacity of farmer organisations
- Purchasing a special cargo aircraft to export food products to Singapore and other strategic markets
- Providing special assistance to seasonal fishermen
- Implementing the artificial reef project along the shores of Sarawak
- Strengthening maritime enforcement in Sarawak’s coastal waters
Implementing digital services for the convenience of the people
- Establishing the Sarawak Innovation Hub (TEGAS Innovation Hub and Sarikei Innovation Centre)
- Establishing Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) as a talent development centre in the digital field
- Providing Sarawak ID
- Introducing Digital Kenyalang Programme
- Implementing S Pay Global (Sarawak Pay)
- Organising the Sarawak e-Commerce Forum
- Introducing SarawakGov
- Establishing the 2030 e-Commerce Transformation Plan (E-Com Y30)
- Expanding the use of the LASIS Mobile App
- Developing Old Kuching Heritage as an attractive tourism product
- Creating the iSarawakCare app
- Providing the COVIDTrace and Qmunity apps
Guarding and preserving welfare for the well-being of the people
- Implementing the Kenyalang Gold Card (KGC)
- Providing post-natal assistance (BIB) of RM450 for mothers post delivery
- Offering a contribution of RM1,000 for each newborn
- Establishing an integrated one-stop community centre
- Providing subsidies for the reconnection of electricity supply
- Providing electricity and water bill discounts during the Movement Control Order (MCO)
- Implementing water bill subsidy assistance
- Providing free school bus services
- Providing financial assistance through the Sarawak Micro Credit Scheme worth RM30 million
- Implementing nine special assistance packages under Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS)
Enhancing youth participation in the development of Sarawak
- Allocating venture capital to youth entrepreneurs
- Allocating Sarawak Youth Venture Capital
- Allocating RM60 million for PTPTN loan repayments for graduates
- Continuing the Sarawak Returning Graduate Initiative (iGPS) initiative
- Paying advances on federal government loans for the refurbishment of dilapidated schools in Sarawak
Developing basic infrastructure and facilities for the well-being of the people
- Supplying electricity and clean water to rural schools
- Expanding the coverage of treated water supply
- Implementing the Sarawak Water Supply Grid Programme
- Implementing the Sarawak Alternative Water Supply Programme (SAWAS)
- Fully owning the Bakun Dam
- Expanding the Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (SARES)
- Constructing 12 new bridges namely Lassa Bridge (Mukah); Batang Rambungan Bridge (Lundu); Bintulu-Jepak Bridge (Kuala Kemena, Bintulu); Batang Lupar Bridge (Samarahan/Betong); Batang Igan Bridge (Mukah); Batang Rajang Bridge; Batang Paloh Bridge; Batang Saribas Bridge (Pusa); Batang Kuala Saribas Bridge; Batang Lupar 2 Bridge; Batang Krian Bridge; Sungai Limbang Bridge
- Planning the construction of the Second Trunk Road to complete the coastal road network
- Planning the construction of new airports in Bukit Sadok and Bukit Mabong
- Modernising the public transportation system
- Rebuilding the Satok Suspension Bridge
- Expanding 24-hour electricity supply
- Upgrading infrastructure and amenities in traditional villages under the Urban Renewal Programme
- Implementing the construction of the Northern Coastal Highway
- Planning the implementation of the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road construction
- Expanding ferry services in areas of need
- Planning the implementation of the Samarahan-Kuching Expressway Project
- Providing water tanks, especially during drought seasons
- Implementing free electricity supply through SARES and off-grid solutions
Ensuring and preserving harmony in ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity
- Planning the construction of the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) Complex
- Planning the construction of the Panggau Dayak Tower
- Planning the implementation of the Wisma Melayu building
- Implementing the construction of the Wisma Federation of Orang Ulu Associations Sarawak Malaysia (FORUM)
- Planning the implementation of the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) Community Building construction
Implementing balanced development across regions in Sarawak
- Establishing new agencies under the Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA)
- Establishing the Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA)
- Establishing the Sri Aman Development Agency (SADA)
- Forming the Sarawak Research and Development Council (SRDC)
- Establishing three new development agencies namely Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA); Rajang Delta Development Agency (RADDA); Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA)
- Allocating sufficient funds for Rural Transformation Projects (RTP) and Minor Rural Projects (MRP)
- Strengthening the monitoring of high-impact people-focused projects
- Providing an integrated administrative centre
Providing more opportunities for the people of Sarawak to own houses
- Building more affordable homes through programmes such as Rumah Spektra Permata, Village Expansion Schemes (SPK), and affordable housing
- Reducing the cost of housing construction
- Providing more comfortable housing
- Offering housing loans under the Housing Development Corporation (HDC)
- Providing the Housing Deposit Assistance Scheme (HDAS) up to RM10,000
Empowering facilities and the education system for the children of Sarawak
- Strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and Technical, Vocational Education, and Training (TVET)
- Repairing and rebuilding dilapidated schools in Sarawak
- Providing financial assistance to government-aided schools
- Enhancing English language proficiency
- Recognising the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)
- Increasing education scholarship funds under Yayasan Sarawak
- Providing special scholarships for medical fields
- Improving the quality of early childhood education
- Building a strong foundation in early childhood education
- Planning the construction of international secondary schools
- Establishing a special committee to coordinate financial assistance for Chinese vernacular schools (SJKC)
- Providing and offering computer (Raspberry Pi) assistance to all primary schools
- Implementing the construction of new schools
- Planning the establishment of the Sarawak Science Centre
- Providing opportunities for Sarawak’s children to further their studies at government-owned universities in Sarawak such as Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Curtin University Sarawak Campus, University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), International College of Advanced Technology Sarawak (i-CATS), and CENTEXS
Recognising and ensuring the people’s rights over NTD land
- Defending the people’s land rights through the recognition of Native Territorial Domain (NTD)
- Reducing land premium rates
Implementation of the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030
Among the achievements highlighted in the PCDS 2030:
- Manufacturing sector – Sarawak attracted RM21.5 billion in approved investments from 2021 to 2023, and created more than 11,000 new jobs.
- Tourism sector – 3.9 million visitors arrived in 2023, generating RM9.99 billion in tourism revenue.
- Forestry sector – Sarawak planted 32.5 million trees from 2021 to 2023, which showed its commitment to the environment.
- Infrastructure sector – Sarawak has built an extensive road network spanning 31,577 km, improving access and connectivity, while in terms of utilities, electricity coverage has reached 99.4 per cent, while water supply coverage is at 84 per cent, bringing essential services to more communities.
- Renewable energy sector – Sarawak maintained a 60 per cent Renewable Energy Capacity Mix and sold 5 million Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) in 2023.
Meanwhile, recent new initiatives introduced by Abang Johari includes providing free tertiary education to eligible Sarawakians by 2026, and embarking on two mega infrastructure projects – a new international airport and deep-sea port in Kuching.
