8 hours ago
4
ADVERTISE HERE
SALAM Sejahtera, Salam Malaysia MADANI, Salam Sarawak Maju Makmur and Salam Segulai Sejalai.
His Excellency Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, and his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Hajjah Fauziah Mohd Sanusi.
On behalf of the Sarawak Government and all Sarawakians, I wish to express our highest appreciation and gratitude to His Excellency Tun and Toh Puan for joining the people on this meaningful evening to celebrate Malaysia Day 2026.
Apart from commemorating the historic formation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963, Malaysia Day also gives us the opportunity to remember and appreciate those who sacrificed their lives and devoted themselves to preserving the peace and sovereignty of this country, particularly Sarawak, in the past.
On behalf of the people, I would also like to express our deepest gratitude to His Excellency Tun, who once served as a member of the security forces and fought to ensure that Sarawak remained peaceful and secure within Malaysia.
The sacrifices of national heroes such as Tun helped free this country, particularly Sarawak, from the communist threat, allowing our efforts and resources to be directed towards development.
On this Malaysia Day, the people of Sarawak and I pray that Tun and Toh Puan will always remain under the protection and grace of Allah SWT, be blessed with continued good health, and continue to serve as a unifying presence for Sarawak’s multiracial and multireligious society.
Long live Tun.
Your Excellency Tun, allow me now to address the distinguished guests gathered here on this auspicious evening.
First and foremost, I wish to express my deepest appreciation to the Right Honourable Prime Minister for taking the time to be in Kuching tonight to celebrate the 63rd Malaysia Day, particularly with the people of Sarawak.
Alhamdulillah, we are grateful to Allah SWT that we are able to come together to celebrate Malaysia Day this evening.
After 63 years, we are not only remembering the history of Malaysia’s formation, but also reflecting on the journey our country has taken and looking ahead to how we can continue moving forward as an advanced, stable and sustainable nation in the decades to come.
For Sarawak, our future has been clearly mapped out by the GPS Government.
We want Sarawak to continue progressing and prospering within Malaysia, while ensuring that Sarawak’s advancement also strengthens Malaysia through the economy, energy, industry, technology and regional development.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Sarawak’s leaders agreed to join the other territories in forming Malaysia in 1963 because they believed that, through Malaysia, Sarawak would have the opportunity to catch up with Malaya, which was more developed at the time.
Today, after 63 years in Malaysia, the people of Sarawak continue to hold on to the aspirations of Sarawak’s founding leaders, who together with leaders from Malaya and Sabah helped establish Malaysia.
I welcome the Prime Minister’s recent assurance that the MADANI Government under his leadership remains committed to ensuring that development across the country is planned in a more balanced manner, taking into account the potential of Sarawak and Sabah.
A few days ago, during the MA63 meeting in Kota Kinabalu, the Prime Minister also stated that efforts to strengthen the implementation of MA63 would be pursued as a national commitment.
I wish to thank the Prime Minister for stating the Federal Government’s agreement that the parliamentary representation of Sarawak and Sabah should be set at no less than one-third, as provided for under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the Inter-Governmental Committee Report.
On behalf of the GPS Government of Sarawak, I also wish to record my appreciation to the Prime Minister and the Unity Government for agreeing to determine a formula for revenue sharing between the Federal Government and Sarawak as provided under Article 112(D) of the Federal Constitution.
I also greatly appreciate the Federal Government’s agreement to place tourism under the Concurrent List in the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution.
This will create greater scope for collaboration and cooperation between the Federal Government and the Sarawak Government to develop the tourism sector – an area that emerged after the formation of Malaysia and is regarded as a residual subject under the Constitution.
I sincerely hope that commitments such as these will foster greater understanding that the recognition of the rights and special interests of Sabah and Sarawak forms part of the national agenda.
I am confident that a more serious and comprehensive approach towards the development needs of all regions will strengthen national unity, because people will feel respected, valued and given the attention they deserve.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The GPS Government in Sarawak has proven itself to be a government that “walk the talk” – one that delivers on what it promises.
Sarawak’s economic development has been among the most notable in recent years, underpinned by strong long-term policies through the Post-Covid Development Strategy 2030.
Sarawak’s economic direction towards a green and sustainable economy is the right approach to elevate the state into an advanced, high-income economy.
This was demonstrated when Bintulu was selected as one of 43 Transitioning Industrial Clusters worldwide, and the first in Malaysia, under the World Economic Forum.
While Bintulu in northern Sarawak is emerging as one of the centres for industrial transformation towards cleaner energy, Tanjung Embang in the south is being designed as a gateway to a broader economic network and as a low-carbon hub for the country and the region.
Supported by a new international airport and deep-sea port, the Tanjung Embang low-carbon hub is expected to bring substantial investment into Sarawak’s economy over the coming decade, with total investment estimated at RM100 billion.
The willingness of regional development institutions, particularly the Asian Development Bank (ADB), to work with Sarawak can also be regarded as recognition of our efforts to position Sarawak as a green economic hub in ASEAN and Asia.
Last week, I led a Sarawak delegation to the ADB headquarters in Manila to discuss Sarawak’s strategic development direction and its potential contribution to Malaysia and ASEAN, particularly in the generation and distribution of electricity across ASEAN countries to strengthen regional energy security.
Today, we can already see the potential of cross-border energy connectivity through electricity exports to Kalimantan and stronger interconnection with Sabah, while Sarawak is also planning to supply electricity to Brunei.
This shows that Sarawak’s energy sector is playing an increasingly important role in the development of Borneo and ASEAN.
In other words, in keeping with the dreams and vision of Sarawak’s founding leaders within Malaysia, the Land of the Hornbills is moving forward with determination and confidence towards a brighter future.
With close cooperation and collaboration between the GPS Government and the Federal Government, I am confident that Sarawak can reach the pinnacle of development as an advanced and high-income region by 2030, Insya-Allah.
As we celebrate Malaysia Day, I sincerely hope that this occasion will inspire the country’s leaders and people to carry forward the spirit and struggles of earlier generations and build a better future for people in every region and every corner of the nation.
I am confident that Sarawak will continue to progress within a progressive and stable Malaysia, while at the same time contributing to a stronger Malaysia and a more integrated ASEAN.
With that, once again, I wish all Malaysians a Happy Malaysia Day 2026.
Thank you.
English (US) ·