MIRI: Sarawak has the potential to become one of Borneo’s key gateways for the Umrah industry by building a more structured, professional and competitive ecosystem, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said Sarawak’s strategic location in Borneo and close ties with Sabah, Kalimantan and Brunei put the state in a strong position to strengthen its role in the industry.
“We want to be a player and see Sarawak develop a more structured, professional and competitive Umrah ecosystem,” he said this in his speech at the closing ceremony of the Sarawak Umrah & Islamic Tourism Expo Festival 2026 (SUITEX26) at Boulevard Shopping Mall recently.
His text speech was read out by Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Project Coordinator for Regional Development, Kuching North City Commission and Islamic Affairs) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.
Abang Johari said Sarawak should not merely remain a consumer of Umrah services, but should instead play an active role in shaping the Umrah ecosystem across Borneo.
According to him, the state’s expanding transport network, infrastructure, tourism industry and business ecosystem provided wider opportunities to develop the Umrah industry in an integrated manner.
He said this would require closer collaboration among Umrah agencies, airlines, hospitality providers, transport operators, service providers, as well as educational and religious institutions.
“If implemented in an integrated manner, I believe Sarawak can play a role as one of the key Umrah gateways for communities in Borneo,” he said.
Abang Johari said the Umrah industry should also be viewed as part of Sarawak’s tourism economy as it involved a wide range of service sectors and carried significant economic value.
He said a pilgrim’s journey to the Holy Land involved religious preparation and courses, travel arrangements, flights, transportation, accommodation, food and support services.
“All of these have economic value. This means that the development of the Umrah industry can also create opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and local economic growth,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said the participation of industry players from Indonesia and Brunei at SUITEX26 had opened up greater opportunities to establish a stronger Borneo Umrah network.
He said Sarawak, Kalimantan and Brunei could complement one another by sharing expertise, developing industry networks and expanding travel options for the benefit of the public.
“Borneo does not have to be merely a market for the Umrah industry. Borneo can become part of the Umrah industry ecosystem itself,” he said.
At the same time, Abang Johari stressed that industry growth must be accompanied by public trust in service providers.
He said Umrah services must be managed professionally, transparently and responsibly to ensure that the public had confidence when making their choice.
“We want pilgrims to have a good experience from the moment they begin making preparations until they return home.
“In this industry, a reputation is not built in a day, but through every pilgrim who returns with a positive experience,” he said.
He also called on Umrah industry players in Sarawak to take a long-term approach by focusing not only on selling packages, but also on improving pilgrims’ experiences and working together to grow the industry as a whole.
Abang Johari said the government would continue to require strategic partnerships with the private sector and industry players in developing the ecosystem.
“I believe SUHA can become one of the important partners in this effort,” he said.
He said the aspiration to develop the “Umrah Borneo” brand could be realised through close cooperation among Sarawak, Kalimantan and Brunei.
“We want a professional industry, quality services, protected pilgrims and a wider travel network, with Sarawak serving as one of the key Umrah gateways from Borneo.
“I believe this aspiration can be achieved, but it requires cooperation. Through SUITEX26, we have demonstrated that the foundation for such cooperation is already in place,” he said.
At the ceremony, the Buku Pelaksanaan Solat Fardhu dan Solat Sunat Harian was also launched to enhance Muslims’ knowledge and preparedness in performing their religious obligations.
