KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg called on all state’s civil servants to work hand in hand in raising the people’s income, stressing that a strong economy must translate into better household earnings for the rakyat.
He said while the World Bank has acknowledged Sarawak as a high-income state, the focus now is to ensure that the benefits reach ordinary households.
“This is a heavy task, and I want all civil servants to work together to increase the people’s income. The economy is strong, but we want it to trickle down.
“Because of that, we have decided to help the B40 group. Only knowledge can increase income,” he said at the Sarawak Integrity Day 2025 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today.
He said that education and technology are key drivers in boosting incomes.
“Our children must be educated, agriculture must use technology, our work must apply advanced tools, our processes must use artificial intelligence (AI). This is our task. Only then can we raise the income of the poor, the fishermen, the farmers, and the villagers.
“That is why we have decided to help in 2026 the children of fishermen, the children of farmers. If they can enter university, we will give them free education.
“As long as they gain entry into a university owned by Sarawak, we will provide free education to our children,” he said.
Abang Johari also highlighted the importance of accountability in governance, pointing out that the state’s financial management continues to receive recognition from the Auditor-General as well as a consistent 3A rating from international financial institutions.
“We work hard to find money, and with the assets we have, we add value. That is why we must look for where our resources are – within the perimeter of the law. We want to add value to our resources through modern simulation.
“Therefore, I want the cooperation of Government-linked Companies (GLCs), the civil service, including community leaders, to work hand in hand to grow our economy. I congratulate those working in government. Until today, we have succeeded in increasing our income.
“If there are comments, we improve based on the comments. Do not just put them in the cupboard. If the annual report shows weaknesses, strengthen it and find solutions,” he said.
He also expressed hope that Sarawak’s culture of good governance will continue in the years ahead.
“Hopefully this culture will continue, and insya-Allah, from year to year, our society will have a comfortable life. I am already old, so we must seek leaders with integrity to continue Sarawak’s leadership,” he said.
