Abang Johari: Sarawak leadership rests on people’s mandate

KUCHING (Jan 14): Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the choice of who should lead Sarawak ultimately rests with the people, stressing that the position of Premier is not appointed by individuals but determined through public mandate.

Responding to a question from the audience on whether he had received or had any indication of who would be the next Sarawak Premier, the Premier said leadership legitimacy comes from the rakyat.

“The position of Chief Minister or Premier depends on the people’s choice. If the people choose ‘A’, then it is ‘A’,” he said during the a townhall session at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre here Tuesday night, held in conjunction with his ninth anniversary in office.

He recalled that following the passing of the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, component parties within the then ruling coalition had asked him to take up the leadership role.

“They said, ‘Why don’t you lead us?’

“But leadership is not about personal choice. You have to contest and run for the people. The people must see the potential in someone to hold that position,” he said.

Abang Johari stressed that holding the position of Premier carries a heavy responsibility and moral trust.

“Whoever holds this position carries a very heavy amanah (trust).  It is a responsibility that I believe I will be questioned about when I die,” he said.

He added that leadership should be guided by principles, accountability and openness to correction, including scrutiny from the media.

“If you want to help the people, then we must work together. There must be principles, that is my stand.

“I may be wrong — correct me, even religious scholars can check me,” he said.

Abang Johari also linked leadership values to his belief in investing in education, describing free education as a long-term legacy that benefits society beyond one’s lifetime.

“I want to give free education because in Islam, when we die, only our deeds remain. One of the lasting contributions we can leave behind is knowledge,” he said.

He explained that providing access to free education ensures that knowledge continues to benefit future generations, making it a form of enduring contribution.

“When we provide free education, we leave knowledge to children who benefit from it. That knowledge continues even after we are gone,” he added.