Learning from past incidents, challenges

KUCHING (Dec 25): Sarawakians are to remain vigilant against social challenges and the risks posed by emerging technologies, while still upholding compassion, tolerance and shared responsibility as the state moves into 2026.

Highlighting this in his Christmas and New Year 2026 message, Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Tun Pehin Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar acknowledged that the past year had tested the resilience of the people, with Sarawak facing a range of challenges including landslides, flash floods, rising road accidents along the Pan Borneo Highway, as well as fires involving longhouses and individual homes.

“These incidents have resulted in the loss of lives and property.

“We hope such cases can be reduced in the future through better preparedness, awareness and proactive preventive measures,” said the Head of State.

Wan Junaidi also spoke about serious social concerns, particularly bullying, road accidents and fire safety, noting that these issues would require continuous attention and commitment from all sectors of society.

He stressed that prevention must be prioritised, saying that lessons should be drawn from past incidents to ensure better planning, safer behaviour and stronger community awareness.

On technological developments, Wan Junaidi cautioned the public about the dangers and risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI), despite its many benefits and aspects of convenience.

“AI can be misused for manipulation, fraud, the spread of false information and propaganda, which may threaten individual privacy, security and even social harmony,” he said, adding that irresponsible use of AI could potentially lead to misunderstandings and social divisions.

He urged fellow Sarawakians ‘to not accept AI-generated content blindly’, but instead to practise facts-checking, maintain strong analytical thinking skills and strive to become ethical, informed and responsible users of technology.

Wan Junaidi also called for cooperation among the government, industry players and society to establish appropriate regulations and standards to ensure AI would be developed and used safely, ethically and responsibly.

On the festive season, he hailed Christmas as ‘a meaningful celebration, embodying universal values such as love, sincerity, generosity and the spirit of giving, which should be practised beyond religious boundaries’.

“These values bring us closer as a society and strengthen the foundations of tolerance, mutual respect and harmony that define Sarawak,” he said.

Meanwhile, Wan Junaidi noted that Sarawak was steadily progressing towards becoming a developed region under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, despite not yet being on par with fully developed economies.

He observed that Sarawak had, in recent years, demonstrated clear characteristics of an advanced and progressive region under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

“Although Sarawak has not yet reached the level of countries or cities such as Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Kuala Lumpur or Penang, the state is clearly moving in the same direction through focused and structured development under PCDS 2030,” he pointed out.

Wan Junaidi also noted that the state’s development strategy placed strong emphasis on economic diversification beyond traditional oil and gas, with a growing focus on green energy, hydrogen technology, the digital economy, and high-technology industries.

These initiatives, according to him, are aimed at achieving high-income status and improving the overall standard of living.

Wan Junaidi also highlighted Sarawak’s ambition of becoming the ‘Battery of Asean’ by exporting renewable energy to neighbouring countries, as well as the implementation of hydrogen-powered projects, including the use of hydrogen buses, as evidence of the state’s commitment to sustainable and future-oriented development.

On infrastructure, he cited major investments in road networks, bridges and coastal highways, alongside mega projects such as the proposed new Kuching International Airport at Tanjung Embang in Samarahan, and the development of a deep-sea port in Kuching, as being set to further boost economic growth and strengthen Sarawak’s position as a regional trade and logistics hub.

He added that improvements in education and healthcare remained the key pillars of development, with efforts to expand access to quality education, including free tertiary education for Sarawakian students, as well as to upgrade ageing healthcare facilities, particularly in the rural and interior areas.

Wan Junaidi also pointed to Sarawak’s strong financial standing, noting that the state had consistently received AAA credit ratings with stable outlooks from RAM Ratings and MARC Ratings.

“The high ratings reflect disciplined fiscal management, diversified revenue sources and a robust cash reserve position.

“These achievements demonstrate Sarawak’s financial stability and prudent governance, which are essential foundations for sustainable development,” he said.

Overall, the Head of State said Sarawak’s balanced progress in economic growth, infrastructure development and social advancement placed the state firmly on track towards developed-region status by 2030.

Wan Junaidi said he and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi together with their family members, extended Christmas greetings to Christians in Sarawak and beyond, expressing hope that the celebration would bring joy, peace and renewed hope to families and communities.

Looking ahead to the New Year, the Head of State encouraged Sarawakians to enter 2026 with renewed determination and positive spirit, while continuing to care for one another and contribute to a peaceful, progressive and harmonious Sarawak.

“May this festive season inspire us to spread kindness, strengthen understanding and build a safer and more compassionate society,” he said.