KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak’s development direction places sustainability not as an add-on but as a core pillar of state policy.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said this is evident as sustainability was embedded in the Post-Covid Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).
He said this laid the foundation for growth that is inclusive, resilient and future-ready.
“Today, that foundation has been further strengthened through our Sarawak Energy Transition Policy, the Sarawak Sustainability Blueprint and the Sarawak Hydrogen Economy Roadmap. These three integrated frameworks guide our clean energy and green growth journey.
“Together, they reflect our deep commitment to climate action, economic transformation and the wellbeing of our people,” he said.
He made these remarks in his special keynote address during the UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei (UNGCMYB) Members Celebration Night 2026 at the InterContinental Hotel here on Thursday (Jan 29) evening.
Abang Johari pointed out that sustainability does not advance on vision alone as it requires an enabling ecosystem, clear policies, credible frameworks, patient incentives and institutions that understand how to bridge ambition with execution.
In Sarawak, he said, much of this work has been carried out by the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability.
“Through policy coherence, long-term planning and close engagement with industry, the Ministry has played a critical role in translating sustainability from aspiration to implementation.
“It is therefore both timely and meaningful that UNGCMYB has created the Forward Faster Sustainability Nexus Award.
“An award that recognises public sector institutions not for commanding change, but for enabling it. This award sends an important message that sustainable transformation happens fastest when government acts as a bridge, aligning national and regional priorities with private sector action and creating the conditions for businesses to move forward with confidence and speed,” he said.
Stressing how energy is Sarawak’s catalyst, Abang Johari said the state will decarbonise energy production, transform the oil and gas sector, and scale up renewables and energy storage.
He said clean energy will not only power Sarawak’s industries but also help power its neighbours thus reinforcing the state’s role as a reliable and sustainable energy partner in the region.
“Our focus on social inclusivity aligns with the values behind decent work and fair opportunity and our emphasis on good governance reflects our understanding that trust is the foundation of long-term progress. What we honour tonight is not separate from national development, but it is essential to it,” he said.
