Abang Johari: Federal-state ties remain strong for Sarawak's progress

New Straits Times

3 days ago

MIRI: Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg has reiterated that the close cooperation between the state and federal governments would continue in the common interests of both the country and Sarawak.
He said the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government, which he leads, appreciates the cooperation currently enjoyed between the state and the federal government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"In fact, at the federal level, Sarawak is represented by a deputy prime minister, namely Datuk Sri Fadillah Yusof, in addition to other ministers from Sarawak," he said in his speech at the Sarawak Day celebration here yesterday.
He expressed confidence that Sarawak's efforts to achieve greater prosperity would not undermine the wider national objective of advancing the country's overall development.
He said the increase in Sarawak's revenue, particularly through the Sarawak Sales Tax (SST), would not diminish the country's revenue as the federal government has sufficient avenues to boost national income without burdening the people.
Abang Johari said the GPS government would continue to fight for Sarawak's rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) through ongoing negotiations with Putrajaya.
"Sarawak has successfully regained nine rights under MA63 and the GPS government will continue its efforts to restore all rights that have been eroded over the years," he said.
He noted that Sarawak started as a state with many shortcomings and widespread poverty, especially in rural areas, during the formation of Malaysia.
"Now we are grateful that Sarawak's economy has shown very encouraging growth," he said, adding that last year Sarawak recorded its highest ever revenue of RM14 billion compared to RM13.3 billion in 2023.
He said this year he had presented the largest budget in Sarawak's history amounting to RM15.8 billion, opening up opportunities for a more inclusive economy.
"Under the powers provided by the Federal Constitution, the state has begun to enjoy more of its oil and gas revenues through the SST imposed on petroleum products as well as through profit sharing between Petronas and Petros," he said.
The premier said the World Bank had 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) in 2024, a figure that surpasses the threshold of RM63,800 (US$15,000) set by the bank.
He said this status had placed Sarawak in fourth position after the Kuala Lumpur and Labuan and Penang, surpassing Selangor.
He said the state government would continue to ensure Sarawak's resources are given added value through the creation of downstream industries, particularly in the oil and gas sector, guided by the long-term Sarawak Gas Roadmap (SGR).
He expressed confidence that when fully implemented within 10 years the SGR would attract investments worth RM300 billion and generate RM120 billion in output from the product and service chain.
"New industries will also be created, especially in the renewable energy sector, to generate up to 15,000 megawatts of energy by 2035, not only for domestic consumption but also for export to Asean countries," he said.