SIBU: Sarawak has retained its position as one of Malaysia’s five largest economies, reflecting the success of its long-term economic transformation under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the achievement showed that the state’s development policies were on the right track as Sarawak continues its transition from a resource-based economy to one driven by knowledge, innovation, technology and high-value industries.
“To achieve our aspirations, we must build a strong economic foundation. That is why the Sarawak Government has, over the past few years, undertaken a comprehensive economic transformation through the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030),” he said in his speech during the Sarawak Day Assembly 2026 held at Dataran Tun Tuanku Haji Bujang here on Wednesday (July 22), , officiated by Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
He said PCDS 2030 was more than just a development blueprint for Sarawak, describing it as a long-term strategy to transform the state’s economy from one dependent on natural resources into one powered by knowledge, innovation, technology and high-value industries.
“We no longer want to be known only as a state rich in natural resources. Instead, we want to be recognised as a region that creates value from its resources through research, innovation, technology and local talent,” he said.
Abang Johari said the strategy had begun to deliver tangible results, with the World Bank recognising Sarawak as a high-income region for four consecutive years from 2022 to 2025 based on its Gross National Income (GNI) per capita.
He said Sarawak’s GNI per capita reached approximately RM70,500 in 2025, surpassing the World Bank’s high-income threshold of RM61,600.
“More importantly, Sarawak remains among the five largest economies in Malaysia. This achievement proves that the policies we have implemented are on the right track,” he said.
However, Abang Johari stressed that attaining high-income status was not the state’s final destination.
“The true measure of success is when economic growth improves the people’s quality of life, creates quality jobs, strengthens local businesses and provides greater opportunities for our younger generation,” he said.
He added that the Sarawak Government was not pursuing economic growth alone, but was committed to building a resilient, inclusive and sustainable economy to ensure the benefits of development are shared by all Sarawakians while contributing to Malaysia’s overall progress.
