Visionary leader’s seven-year odyssey transforming Sarawak

A statesman will tell you what’s true, even if it is not popular. A politician will tell you what’s popular, even if it is not true.

A group of Umno friends invited me for dinner last Saturday at Oomph, a café in Petaling Jaya, which offers nice western cuisine. It was a sumptuous dinner, actually a belated birthday celebration for me. We haven’t met for a while, since October last year.

As usual when we meet up, politics will dominate our discussions, and this time they wanted to know what’s happening in my home state. I dominated the gathering and didn’t give them much chance to ask questions. From the onset, I talked about Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg ‘magnificent seven years’ (borrowing fellow columnist Nazmi Suhaimi’s phrase) in office as Sarawak’s sixth premier.

Most of the political friends agree that Abang Johari – with hard work and tenacity – has pushed the state to greater heights in less than a decade. They see him as a visionary leader with the power of strategic foresight rarely unseen in Malaysian leaders.

In the realm of leadership, Abang Johari has distinguished himself as a visionary statesman, steering Sarawak to unprecedented heights within a mere seven years. His tenure which began on Jan 11, 2017, has been marked by transformative initiatives, people-centric policies, and an unwavering commitment to elevate Sarawak’s standing on the national and global stage.

His economic transformation and financial resilience for the state is proof of his sincerity in wanting to achieve developed statehood by 2030; his leadership has been characterised by reforms that have positioned the Land of the Hornbills as a beacon of prosperity.

His first year in office saw the Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy, a comprehensive roadmap encompassing 47 strategic plans across diverse sectors. From agriculture to digital health, this strategy aimed to propel Sarawak towards high-income status and developed statehood by 2030 through a robust digital transformation.

He introduced e-wallet S Pay Global (previously Sarawak Pay), not only used in Sarawak, but also outside the country.

The Premier’s adept financial stewardship is evident in the remarkable increase of the state’s financial reserves to over RM40 billion, a significant leap from a mere RM29 billion when he took office in 2017. This accomplishment underscores his commitment to ensuring a solid financial foundation for Sarawak’s sustained growth and development.

Abang Johari’s commitment to Sarawak’s political autonomy manifested in the formation of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) after the 14th general election. Breaking away from the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, GPS became the vehicle through which Sarawak charted its independent political destiny. He used GPS as a platform to assert and reclaim Sarawak’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

The introduction of the State Sales Tax (SST) on oil and gas products, set at five percent, not only bolstered Sarawak’s income but also became a crucial source for funding various infrastructure development projects. Abang Johari’s commitment to sustainability was further exemplified by the launch of Southeast Asia’s integrated hydrogen production plant, a cornerstone of the Sarawak Green Energy Agenda. This ground-breaking achievement positioned Sarawak as a pioneer in hydrogen adoption within the region.

Abang Johari who has a soft heart for his people, undertook socio-economic development and looked into the well-being of his people by introducing several schemes, such as funds for mothers after giving birth, funds for newly born children and Kenyalang Gold Card for senior citizens aged 60 years and above.

Then there is the Development Bank of Sarawak and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad, all of which were implemented in his magnificent seven years in office.

In 2022, he further solidified Sarawak’s economic future by establishing the Sarawak Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), stressing prudent investment to maximise returns from surplus capital reserves.

His crisis management and people-centric policies are legendary. His deft handling of the Covid-19 pandemic showcased his compassionate leadership. The nine Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance (BKSS) programmes, worth more than RM6.7 billion, provided essential aid to citizens, navigating them through challenging times.

Abang Johari’s foresight was also evident in the drafting of the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, a comprehensive plan aimed at doubling Sarawak’s economy to RM282 billion by 2030.

On his electoral triumphs and national recognition, his political acumen was on full display during the 12th Sarawak state election in December 2021, where his GPS coalition secured a landslide victory, winning 76 out of 82 state seats.

In the 15th general election, GPS triumphed by winning 23 out of 31 parliamentary seats, elevating the coalition to a significant position in the federal unity government.

Abang Johari’s strategic leadership has not only transformed Sarawak’s economic landscape but has also garnered national recognition, positioning the state as an economic powerhouse.

Last December, he changed Sarawak’s public transport plans from a light rail transit (LRT) system to the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART). The main reason for the change was the latter’s lower costs. The ART project to modernise Sarawak’s public transport system is within the state government’s means.

Abang Johari’s seven-year journey as Sarawak’s No. 1 politician has been nothing short of remarkable. His visionary leadership, economic prowess, and unwavering commitment to the people have ushered in an era of prosperity and development, making him a true leader of the people, by the people, and for the people.

His inclusive approach and ability to bring people together have created a sense of unity and pride among Sarawakians, which politicians in Malaya can just wish for or dream of.

As Sarawakians look to the future, they do so with optimism, knowing that under Abang Johari’s guidance, their state is destined for continued success and progress.

We all pray that the coming years will bring even more success as Abang Johari continues to lead Sarawakians towards a brighter future and greater heights of progress and prosperity.

Happy anniversary Datuk Patinggi as we pray and look forward to many more years of your awesome leadership.

The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.