logo
Abang Johari: ‘Jealousy' of PBB's success behind false claims of rift with Awang Tengah

Abang Johari: ‘Jealousy' of PBB's success behind false claims of rift with Awang Tengah

Malay Mail3 days ago
KUCHING, July 19 — Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has dismissed recent attempts to create rifts within Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), calling them baseless efforts driven by envy over Sarawak's growing economic success.
Speaking at the launch of the Batang Saribas 1 Bridge and the Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA) today, he said misleading narratives had been circulated online to suggest a falling-out between him and Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
'Recently, there were attempts to stir conflict within PBB (Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu), suggesting that Awang Tengah and I are at odds.
'These things happen when people are jealous of our success, because our economy is doing well,' he said.
Abang Johari stressed that such attempts would not derail the unity within the party or Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) as a whole.
He also highlighted Sarawak's rising global profile in the green energy sector, particularly its leadership in hydrogen development.
He said he had recently been invited to speak in Japan and will be addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos this coming January on the global economy, adding that the forum had recognised Sarawak as an emerging industrial cluster powered by renewable energy.
'Sarawak is being noticed. No other state is producing green energy like we are. With the electricity we generate, we can meet our own needs and sell the surplus to earn income.
'That income can help fund university tuition. Who benefits? The people do,' he said.
Abang Johari reaffirmed his administration's commitment to unity and people-centric development.
'That is why when we are doing well, some people will try to cause division. But don't worry – as long as I'm in GPS, we will not be divided.
'We will continue to prioritise the people of Sarawak. As the late Tok Nan (Pehin Sri Adenan Satem) used to say – jangan liat aja (don't just watch),' he said. — The Borneo Post
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Miri Marina Bridge to transform city into ‘San Francisco of Sarawak', says Premier
Miri Marina Bridge to transform city into ‘San Francisco of Sarawak', says Premier

Borneo Post

time20 minutes ago

  • Borneo Post

Miri Marina Bridge to transform city into ‘San Francisco of Sarawak', says Premier

Abang Johari (left) and his Cabinet colleagues giving the thumbs-up to the groundbreaking ceremony of iconic Miri Marina Bridge. MIRI (July 22): Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg says the upcoming Miri Marina Bridge will be a game changer for the city, comparing its future appeal to the 'San Francisco of Sarawak'. He said the RM450 million project will not only offer scenic views of the South China Sea and surrounding Canada and Lambir hills, but also drastically cut travel time between Pulau Melayu and the Marina area from 30 minutes to just five. 'This landscape upgrade in Miri, with its iconic facilities and connectivity infrastructure, aligns with the city's image as the resort city of northern Sarawak, putting it on par with other tourist destinations,' Abang Johari said at the groundbreaking ceremony at the Miri Waterfront Commercial Centre today. The two-lane cable-stayed bridge will span 650 metres with a 1.2km total length and 20-metre clearance. Construction is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year and would take 36 months to complete. Abang Johari said Sarawak's infrastructure growth is part of its long-term economic plan, which has attracted global recognition, including from the World Economic Forum and World Bank. He said Sarawak's revenue reached RM14.6 billion last year, and the state now aims to hit RM300 billion in GDP within 10 years, building on its gas development roadmap. 'Our GDP is now touching RM199 billion from RM140 billion previously. Over the next five years, a RM280 billion target is achievable provided there is political stability and the people of Sarawak remain united,' he said. The Miri Marina Bridge project also supports broader plans to connect Miri with key sites such as the planned Beraya township and Unesco sites in Niah and Mulu, along with improved road links to Marudi, Long Terawan, Bukit Buda and Lawas. Power supply in the region will also be upgraded from 275kV to 500kV to meet growing demand. Urging Sarawakians to remain united, Abang Johari warned against a 'crab mentality' and called for teamwork like that of ants to move Sarawak forward. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas also praised the state's infrastructure progress, noting that 16 bridges are currently being built across Sarawak, with several already completed. He added that the Premier will officiate the opening of the new Jepak Bridge in Bintulu this week. Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, State Secretary Datuk Amar Abu Bakar Marzuki, state ministers, local leaders, and representatives from NGOs and government agencies. Abang Johari lead Miri Marina Bridge San Francisco of Sarawak

Why it's hard for Malaysia to win a trade deal with the US — Phar Kim Beng
Why it's hard for Malaysia to win a trade deal with the US — Phar Kim Beng

Malay Mail

time20 minutes ago

  • Malay Mail

Why it's hard for Malaysia to win a trade deal with the US — Phar Kim Beng

JULY 22 — Trade negotiations with the United States have never been easy. But under President Donald Trump's second term, they've become even more complicated — especially for countries similar to Malaysia. The reason is simple: the US doesn't merely seek mutual benefit; it aims to dominate. And its primary tool is tariffs. When the US imposes or threatens tariffs on exports — whether agricultural products, medical devices, automotive parts, or digital services — it forces countries into a reactive posture. Although Malaysia's electronics and semiconductor exports are currently exempted from punitive tariffs, this should not be taken as a sign of safety or favour. Exemptions can be reversed. The threat is part of a broader tactic to compel compliance across all sectors. This form of pressure is especially difficult for economies analogous with Malaysia — those heavily reliant on trade, but without the strategic weight to push back effectively. Trade talks are not one-dimensional. Malaysia must negotiate externally with Washington, while internally managing the political fallout among industry groups, lawmakers, and civil society. It's what scholars call a 'double-level game'. No Malaysian government can accept every US demand without inviting domestic resistance. Yet pushing back may invite retaliation. And the US, under Trump, has shown no hesitation to act unilaterally — even toward long-standing allies. The Philippines, despite its security alignment with the US, is still facing 20% tariffs. If they are not spared, Malaysia should not expect preferential treatment. The essence of the American trade posture is to leave very little room for sovereignty. Washington increasingly challenges regulatory frameworks — in food safety, environmental protection, digital governance, and labour conditions — as disguised protectionism. Countries akin to Malaysia are pushed toward a binary choice: either deregulate completely or allow American goods to enter tariff-free, regardless of local concerns. This isn't negotiation. It's economic coercion under the cover of trade diplomacy. An aerial view picture of the port of Santos, the largest port complex in Latin America and one of the largest in the world, taken on July 17, 2025, in Santos, Sao Paulo state, Brazil. — AFP pic Malaysia cannot count on ASEAN's collective response this time. With the August 1 tariff deadline fast approaching, regional coordination is nearly impossible. Even though electronics and semiconductors — the lifeblood of Malaysia's exports — are spared for now, the broader system is still under threat. If the US shifts its focus to value-added manufacturing, digital services, or intellectual property rights enforcement, Malaysia could quickly become a new target. Some may argue that zero-tariff deals from the US represent an opportunity. But even such arrangements come with strings attached. They open Malaysia's markets while keeping US regulatory levers intact. It's akin to opening your doors wide and hoping the guest will do the same. But the guest holds all the keys. This is why Malaysia faces a structural challenge. To resist is to risk retaliation. To comply is to erode policy autonomy. And even in sectors currently shielded from tariffs, the climate of uncertainty deters investment and long-term planning. Ultimately, the US does not just trade. It disciplines. Its trade strategy is consistent with its broader foreign policy logic — hierarchical, transactional, and unapologetically self-interested. Countries parallel with Malaysia in scale and exposure are forced to adapt constantly or face exclusion. There are no easy answers. But clarity is a start. Malaysia must accept that the US no longer views trade as mutual gain, but as leverage. In response, Malaysia must invest in domestic resilience, seek supply chain diversification, deepen South-South linkages, and work toward a coalition of likeminded economies that still believe in rules-based trade. Because when the rules are rewritten by one player, and the game is played with two sets of standards, the only real protection is strategic alignment — with partners who understand that fairness is not just about tariffs, but trust. In approaching August 1 — the day when the US will impose a tax of 25 per cent on most major Malaysian items — the trade negotiators of Malaysia must understand that embedded into Trump's logic of tariff is also the pernicious American demand, invariably imposed on Malaysia, to keep buying American goods. Only by buying, such as going beyond the 30 Boeing airliners that had been bought by the Malaysian Airline System (MAS) and AirAsia, can Malaysia work with the US towards a zero-tariff barrier. * Phar Kim Beng is a professor of Asean Studies and director of the Institute of Internationalization and Asean Studies at the International Islamic University of Malaysia ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.

Bridging Digital Divide Critical To Sabah's Inclusive Logistics Growth
Bridging Digital Divide Critical To Sabah's Inclusive Logistics Growth

Barnama

time39 minutes ago

  • Barnama

Bridging Digital Divide Critical To Sabah's Inclusive Logistics Growth

BUSINESS By Jailani Hasan LABUAN, July 22 (Bernama) -- Sabah's logistics and trade sector can only thrive if efforts to digitalise are matched by strong support for small businesses and rural communities, a regional logistics expert said. Former president of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Malaysia and vice-president of CILT International for Southeast Asia Datuk Dr Ramli Amir said despite digital advancement in port infrastructure and logistics planning, many parts of Sabah remain digitally disconnected. 'We must ensure that digitalisation does not widen the development gap. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and rural logistics players in Sabah need the same access to tools, platforms and support to participate in this transformation,' he told Bernama today. Ramli noted many micro-enterprises and rural businesses struggle with limited connectivity, lack of awareness and insufficient digital training, which prevents them from benefitting from data-driven trade initiatives. He suggested that targeted interventions, such as capacity-building programmes, inclusive policy frameworks, and public-private collaborations, are essential to bring these players on board. He also called for broader investment in digital infrastructure and broadband expansion in underserved areas. 'Digital transformation must be inclusive… if only the urban and large players benefit, we risk leaving a major portion of the economy behind,' he said. He said Sabah's strategic position in the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) sub-region makes it uniquely placed to benefit from regional trade agreements, but only if its entire logistics network – including rural feeder routes, community ports, and land transport – is included in the digital upgrade.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store