‘Maybe we can overtake Johor’: Abang Johari eyes Sarawak becoming Malaysia’s third-largest GDP contributor

Abang Johari speaks during the Batang Lupar Bridge 1 opening ceremony on July 9, 2026. Photo credit: UKAS

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, July 9: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg believes Sarawak could eventually overtake Johor as Malaysia’s third-largest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contributor, with the State now narrowing the gap with one of the country’s largest economies.

He said Sarawak’s economic transformation over the past few years had strengthened its position nationally, with continued development efforts potentially allowing the State to close the gap with Johor.

“Looking at our progress today, maybe we can take over Johor in terms of GDP income,” he said when speaking at the opening ceremony of Batang Lupar Bridge 1, broadcast live by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) today.

According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) 2025 data, Sarawak is currently the fourth-largest contributor to Malaysia’s GDP, accounting for 9.1 per cent of the country’s economy, while Johor ranks third with 9.5 per cent.

The difference between the two states’ contributions is only 0.4 percentage points.

Selangor remained Malaysia’s largest economic contributor in 2025 with a 26.5 per cent share of the national GDP, followed by W.P. Kuala Lumpur at 16.1 per cent.

Abang Johari also said Sarawak had achieved high-income status over the past four years, adding that the State’s economic progress had placed it among the country’s top-performing economies.

“Today, our GDP per capita is above RM70,000, higher than the national GDP per capita of RM59,167,” he added.

DOSM’s 2025 data showed Sarawak recorded a GDP per capita of RM73,757, placing it fifth highest among all states and federal territories in Malaysia.

The GDP per capita ranking was led by W.P. Kuala Lumpur at RM144,898, followed by W.P. Putrajaya at RM126,359, W.P. Labuan at RM88,764, Penang at RM80,584, Sarawak at RM73,757 and Selangor at RM70,362.

Abang Johari said the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government’s focus had always been on opening up rural areas and raising household income through development.

He said major infrastructure projects such as Batang Lupar Bridge 1 were part of Sarawak’s broader strategy to improve connectivity, unlock rural economic potential and create more opportunities for communities across the State.

“Our struggle is to increase household income,” he said. — DayakDaily