Premier: Sarawak SOEs must show measurable progress within first 100 days

KUCHING (Sept 22): Sarawak-owned enterprises (SOEs) must demonstrate visible and measurable progress within the first 100 days of the transformation programme to show that they have adopted a new way of operating, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said the first 100 days should serve as a test of each organisation’s commitment, with immediate action taken on initiatives identified under its transformation plan.

“Therefore, the pledge ceremony must be followed by immediate action. I want each entity to identify actions that can begin now — not after another study,” he said during the Sarawak SOEs Transformation Programme — Phase 2 here today.

Abang Johari said initiatives should move into implementation based on their intended outcomes.

“If an initiative is supposed to generate revenue, begin customer validation.

“If a cost initiative is supposed to save money, start the process redesign. If digital adoption is planned, begin the pilot. If a consolidation is proposed, give the detailed study a clear timetable,” he said.

He said transformation would become credible when there was visible evidence of change within an organisation.

“Transformation becomes credible when people can point to something that has changed.

“The first 100 days should therefore produce visible evidence that the organisation has entered a new way of working,” he said.

Abang Johari said the Transformation Playbooks must be used as ongoing management documents rather than being treated as documents that ended with the pledge ceremony.

“The Transformation Playbooks must become living management documents — not documents that end with today’s ceremony,” he said.

He said boards must provide oversight, while chief executive officers (CEOs) and general managers must take ownership of and be accountable for implementation.

“Boards must provide oversight. CEOs and general managers must take ownership and be accountable for implementation,” he said.

He added that ministries and state agencies must provide support when issues extended beyond individual entities, while the State Financial Secretary’s Office would continue to monitor progress and outcomes.

Abang Johari said successful initiatives should be scaled up, while delayed implementation should be addressed and strategies adapted when circumstances changed.

“Where initiatives succeed, scale them. Where implementation is delayed, intervene. Where circumstances change, adapt. But where there is persistent failure to execute, there must be accountability,” he said.

He said the objective was to achieve meaningful transformation through stronger businesses, new revenue streams, higher productivity, effective use of technology, stronger partnerships, better utilisation of assets and greater contributions to Sarawak’s development.

“Ultimately, we want to see real transformation — stronger businesses, new revenue streams, higher productivity, meaningful use of technology, stronger partnerships, better use of assets and greater contribution to Sarawak’s development,” he said.