Following attempts to portray Sarawak as greedy, Premier points out state's demands enshrined in Federal Constitution, MA63
MIRI (July 23): Sarawak is asserting its rights by fighting for what has long been enshrined in the Federal Constitution and Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), said the Premier.
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg noted that Sarawak's demands for its rights have been portrayed by certain quarters, both within and outside the state, as being 'excessive' and 'greedy'.
'I am confident that our efforts to ensure Sarawak's prosperity will not undermine the overall development of the country.
'Increased revenue for Sarawak, particularly through the State Sales Tax (SST), will not reduce the nation's overall income, as the federal government still has ample fiscal space to enhance its revenue without burdening the people,' he said during the Sarawak Day celebration at Miri Indoor Stadium last night.
He recalled Sarawak's historic decision to form Malaysia with Malaya, Singapore, and North Borneo on Aug 31, 1963 came with agreed terms and special rights for the sake of peace and prosperity.
As such, Abang Johari reaffirmed that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government will continue its negotiations with Putrajaya to reclaim all rights under MA63.
'To date, we have succeeded in regaining nine of those rights. Our struggle will not stop until all that was eroded is restored,' he stressed.
On Sarawak's relationship with Putrajaya, he expressed appreciation for the current good relations under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Under Anwar's Madani-led government, he said Sarawak is now represented at the federal level by Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof in addition to several ministers from the state.
'Never before has a Sarawakian been entrusted with the role of deputy prime minister. This clearly shows that Sarawak, under the GPS platform, is a political force that commands respect and recognition,' he added.
Touching on Sarawak's economic growth, Abang Johari highlighted the state's impressive economic trajectory, having recorded its highest-ever revenue of RM14 billion in 2024, up from RM13.3 billion the previous year.
'For 2025, we have tabled a record RM15.8 billion state budget – the largest in Sarawak's history to create an inclusive economy and open more opportunities for the people,' he said.
The Sarawak flag Ibu Pertiwi is raised during the event. – Photo by Jenifer Laeng
He added that Sarawak is beginning to reap more benefits from its oil and gas resources through SST and profit-sharing with Petronas via Petros.
He stressed that Sarawak's control over these resources has enabled the state to strengthen its finances and implement development under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
Abang Johari said Sarawak's trade statistics also show a 46 per cent increase in trade value within the last six years, from RM136 billion in 2019 to RM199 billion in 2024.
'With this momentum, I am confident we will reach RM282 billion in trade by 2030, in line with PCDS targets,' he said.
He pointed out that the World Bank has recognised Sarawak as a high-income region for three consecutive years since 2022 based on a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of RM73,100 (US$17,000) as of 2024, exceeding the high-income threshold of RM63,800 (US$15,000).
With this status, he said that Sarawak now ranks fourth nationwide, behind Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Penang, and ahead of Selangor.
He credited clear and forward-looking economic policies for enabling Sarawak to achieve high-income status eight years ahead of schedule.
On downstream industries and renewable energy, the Premier said Sarawak will continue to add value to its natural resources through downstream industries, especially in oil and gas, guided by the Sarawak Gas Roadmap (SGR).
'The SGR is expected to attract RM300 billion in investments and generate RM120 billion in economic output within the next 10 years,' he said.
Sarawak also aims to generate up to 15,000 megawatts of renewable energy by 2035, for both domestic use and export to Asean countries.
'These efforts will drive the economy forward and create employment, helping to dispel the outdated notion that Sarawak is a rich state with poor people,' he said.
Wan Junaidi (front centre) watches the fireworks display flanked by Fauziah and Abang Johari. – Ukas photo
While moving forward economically, Abang Johari said Sarawak must also preserve its cultural heritage and moral values.
He stressed that these traditions are a foundation for social harmony and unity.
'Our participation in the Unity Government is a testament to our commitment to coexistence and mutual respect.
'With solid foundations in place, I am optimistic Sarawak is on the right path to becoming a fully developed region by 2030,' he said.
Among those present at the Sarawak Day celebration were Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi; Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof; as well as Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. Abang Johari Sarawak's rights
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
9 hours ago
- Borneo Post
New matriculation college to be built in Sematan, says Tanjong Datu rep
Azizul (third left) presents a prize to a winner of a competition. Also seen are Niponi (first left) and Abdul Aziz (second right). —Ukas photo KUCHING (July 28): A new matriculation college will be built in Sematan to enhance access to education in rural areas, said Tanjong Datu assemblyman Azizul Annuar Adenan. He said the establisment of the college is a crucial initiative to empower rural youths, especially students from Lundu, Sematan and the surrounding areas, by providing better opportunities for higher education. 'This college will not only offer more pathways for our local children to pursue further studies but will also act as a catalyst for economic and social development within the community,' he said when speaking at the closing of the Sematan Festival 2025 on Sunday, according to a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) report. Azizul said the construction of the college is expected to begin next year once the planning phase and technical approvals are finalised. He added both the Sarawak and federal governments are expected to work together on the project. On the Sematan Festival 2025, Azizul expressed his appreciation to the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) for their support in making the event a success. He proposed that the festival be held annually with a more inclusive and larger-scale approach. This year's festival featured a wide range of activities, including a powerboat race, E-sports competition, 'rakyat' concert, Joran Challenge, and the Sematan Duathlon 2025, which drew thousands of visitors from various backgrounds. Also present at the event were political secretaries to the Premier of Sarawak, Abang Abdul Aziz Abang Draup and Niponi Undek; MTCP permanent secretary Datu Sherrina Hussaini; and Lundu district officer Awang Yusup Awang Mostapha. azizul annuar adenan college education matriculation
New Straits Times
11 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Sarawak Timber Association calls on federal govt to re-introduce GST
KUCHING: Sarawak Timber Association (STA) has called on the federal government to re-introduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST), saying businesses in Sarawak generally welcomed it compared with the Sales and Service Tax (SST). STA chief executive officer Annie Ting said most businesses already had GST-ready accounting systems and their personnel were also familiar with compliance procedures in the previous implementation from April 2015 to August 2018. "Hence a reintroduction of GST may not require a long preparation of 18 months like when it was introduced in 2015," she said in a statement today. Ting reckoned that a short six-month period would suffice for its smooth re-implementation. She added that as previously experienced, GST could bring in higher and stable revenue for the government, which were crucial for economic stability and development funding. She said that it was generally felt that GST could be introduced at a low rate, say three per cent, instead of six, to mitigate price increase which may be one-off and inflation. Ting said targeted subsidies to B40 households, such as direct cash aid, could be dispatched to offset their burden on price hikes, adding that basic groceries and essential services such as education and healthcare service might be exempted from the tax. Ting said the expanded SST, which coincided with Phase 3 of the e-invoice rollout, had left businesses scrambling to adapt to new compliance requirements on a tight deadline. "While consumers may receive temporary relief, businesses face a permanent increase in complexity and cost," she said, adding that the cascading tax effect inherent in the SST system remained, where taxes had accumulated through the supply chain, ultimately raising the cost of doing business. "For industries like timber, the reclassification of previously exempt goods such as sawn timber and plywood into the five or 10 per cent sales tax bracket presents a significant challenge. "This situation is further complicated by the intricate sales tax exemption mechanisms for raw materials, which create compliance burdens for manufacturers producing both taxable and non-taxable goods. "These industry-specific issues highlight a disconnect between broad fiscal policies and the granular realities of business operations," she said. She said Malaysia's fiscal health required a stable revenue stream and GST was the best option for long-term economic resilience despite issues such as slow refunds. "Any effort to strengthen the country's fiscal position, including through the SST, must be built on transparency and accountability. "Without addressing crucial points such as leakages and weak governance, even the most well-designed tax measures will struggle to achieve their goals," she said. She said the federal government, rather than simply introducing new taxes or expanding the scope of the SST, its focus should be on restoring public trust and ensuring the responsible use of public funds. "A fair and effective tax system can only succeed when revenue is managed holistically and with integrity," Ting said.
New Straits Times
11 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Full house at PKNPk's 'Special Coffee Series' in Perak
KUALA LUMPUR: Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Perak (PKNPk) has drawn a full house with the 16th edition of its Special Coffee Series forum today. This underscores strong interest from businesses in understanding the expanded scope of the Sales and Service Tax (SST), it said. PKNPk said the forum provided an informal yet high-impact platform for direct engagement with officials. This allows participants to raise questions and gain guidance on issues such as sector-based exemptions, transitional arrangements and updated registration processes. PKNPk chief executive Datuk Redza Rafiq Abdul Razak said the session aims to go beyond tax compliance by encouraging clear, informed decision-making and building business resilience. "We don't want policies to exist in silos, detached from the realities on the ground. This is not just about tax compliance, but it's about helping businesses operate with clarity, make informed decisions and remain competitive," he said in a statement. Redza added that the initiative reflects PKNPk's role as a proactive enabler and connector between government institutions and the private sector. Held at Hotel Casuarina @ Meru, the session attracted nearly 300 participants, including entrepreneurs, manufacturers and industry players from across Perak. The event was co-organised with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (Perak) and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (Perak). The Special Coffee Series has become one of Perak's most trusted platforms for industry-government dialogue, with six sessions held in 2025 alone. It is part of the Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan under the investor-friendly programme, aimed at promoting transparency and a business-friendly policy environment. Participants responded positively to the open dialogue, with many appreciating the practical, real-time feedback, a shift from conventional, bureaucratic sessions. "In a fast-moving world, communication between government and industry needs to be faster, more open and more responsive. That's the very purpose of this series.
