Merit, not gender, driving women’s rise in Sarawak leadership — Premier Abang Johari

Abang Johari (third right) officiating the International Women's Day 2026 Borneo Zone celebration held at a prominent hotel in Kuching on Jan 28, 2026.

By Amanda L

KUCHING, Jan 28: Women in Sarawak are increasingly taking on leadership and decision-making roles as opportunities in the state are now determined by merit rather than gender, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

According to him, outdated perceptions that leadership and policy-making positions are reserved for men no longer hold, with women now playing an active role in shaping the state’s development.

“In the structure of the Sarawak civil service, we have given space for women to make decisions at the state level,” he said in his speech at the International Women’s Day 2026 Borneo Zone celebration at a prominent hotel here today.

The Premier pointed to recent developments in which women have been entrusted with senior responsibilities, including leadership roles in key state-linked institutions that drive Sarawak’s economic growth.

He said women’s participation is especially crucial as Sarawak moves into new economic frontiers such as green energy, hydrogen, the digital economy, aerospace, creative industries, and high-technology sectors.

“We need women engineers, women scientists, data experts, and technology entrepreneurs to be part of this future economy,” he said, adding that more women are now entering technical and professional fields, including engineering.

Abang Johari stressed that there should be no distinction between men and women when opportunities are offered based on capability.

“There is no difference between women and men when success is measured by merit,” he stressed. — DayakDaily