NATASHA JEE, ALEXANDRA LORNA & NURA V LORNA
GABUNGAN Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) lynchpin party, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) has reaffirmed its commitment to driving Sarawak’s progress forward.
In his winding-up speech on the last day of the party’s 16th Triennial General Meeting (TGM) at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Sunday, party president, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the party would continue to safeguard Sarawak’s rights, strengthen the state’s economic resilience and take further steps to benefit the people.
To achieve these goals, he said, the party members must remain united and work together as a team to ensure a strong and prosperous Sarawak for future generations.
Below is an abridged version of his closing speech:
Today, we are in very high spirits and I am truly honoured to be here with all of you.
In this meeting, we received feedback and this serves as the foundation for us to formulate policies that will have an impact on the entire state of Sarawak.
The successes that have been achieved, as mentioned earlier, are the results of the PBB Convention.
When I took over, I focused on ensuring infrastructure development — roads, bridges, water supply and electricity are implemented. These projects require significant funding because they are large-scale projects and we need to secure financial resources.
However, thank God, we have financial experts, and so far, we have not incurred any debt. Our financial management is among the best. We have received a AAA rating from external agencies. Apart from that, we still have strong reserves and we continue to increase them to ensure the welfare of our people.
That is why I dare to provide free education and build bridges without imposing tolls. In Peninsular Malaysia, bridges are built but there are toll charges. As the late Tok Nan (Pehin Sri Adenan Satem) once said, “In Sarawak, we do not want tolls and when you add ‘o’ and ‘l,’ it becomes ‘tolol’ (foolish).” So, in Sarawak, there are no tolls. All the bridges we build are toll-free.
Today, there are three things I want to share with you.
The first matter raised by Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah earlier was the challenges that come with ageing as we strive to support the elderly.
However, I believe we are prepared to face our ageing population. That is why we are now allocating funds to ensure that senior citizens can visit clinics at least once a year for health check-ups, fully funded by the government.
This initiative will help us take care of the elderly’s health. We must be ready to address the ageing population, and GPS, especially our party, PBB, must take responsibility for caring for the elderly.
The second matter, as mentioned by Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni regarding matters on clinics, I have discussed with him the need to examine the overall state of healthcare services.
Talking about healthcare, Minister Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah mentioned that medical tourism — where people come to our state for treatment — is increasing, especially from Indonesia.
That is why, in 2024, we recorded 4.8 million tourist arrivals to Sarawak, a record high, generating over RM10 billion in tourism receipts. For 2025, we are targeting five million tourists.
We can achieve five million visitors to Sarawak because we now have AirBorneo. If many Indonesians come here for treatment, we should fly to Jakarta and bring more people in —from Jakarta and beyond — because our private healthcare sector is growing.
For instance, a new private hospital, with 300 beds, is being built in Batu Lintang, at the former government quarters site. Another private hospital is being constructed in Tabuan Jaya and one more in Petra Jaya.
What does this indicate? It shows that people see Sarawak as having the potential to become a healthcare hub.
It’s not that Sarawakians are sick — no. It’s people from other places coming here for treatment. And our medical costs are lower than in Singapore. So when this happens, more people will come.
And when a patient comes, they don’t come alone—they bring their family. The more family members that come, the more tourists we get. More people will buy our fish, vegetables and food and stay in our hotels. When this happens, we also create job opportunities.
And our food supply must be cultivated and produced because there will be demand. The surplus can be exported to Singapore using AirBorneo. We can sell Batang Ai tilapia. Right now, the demand for tilapia in Singapore is growing.
I asked them, “Why do you like our Sarawak tilapia?” They said it’s because our tilapia tastes good and doesn’t have a strong odour. That’s because it comes from Batang Ai. Over there, their tilapia is farmed in ponds, so it has a different taste, like a coastal flavour.
Therefore, when our economy grows like this, people’s income will increase. That’s why we need to use technology to develop our economy.
One more thing I want to share, and this is important, is what Fadillah mentioned earlier about the gas industry. There have been all sorts of stories going around, so let me give my perspective or provide clarification to all of you.
The Federal Constitution, states under Article 8(j) of the 9th Schedule, under Trade, Commerce and Industry, that it is “Subject to item 2(c) in the State List: Development of mineral resources, mines, mining, minerals and mineral ores; oils and oilfields.” What does this mean? It refers to oil and oil fields that contain oil … “purchase, sale, import and export of minerals and mineral ores; petroleum products; regulation of labour and safety in mines and oilfields”. This falls under federal jurisdiction.
However, the sentence begins with “subject to item 2(c) in the State List.” It can only be carried out “Subject to item 2(c)”! Item 2(c) states: “Permits and licences for prospecting for mines; mining leases and certificates.”
This means that before you extract anything, you must obtain a certificate from the state. This is what the Constitution says. Before you extract our gas, you must first seek approval from Sarawak. That is why I stand firmly by what is stated in the Constitution.
The Petroleum Development Act (PDA) is subordinate to the Constitution. The Constitution is supreme. It is the law of the land. That is why we take this stance. I will not give way as long as this stands.
Because this is the law. We must abide by the rule of law. PBB is a party that upholds the law. That is why I tell my friends in Peninsular Malaysia, that things were different. But now Sarawak has become wiser. PBB has become wiser. We used to be overlooked. But now we are wise. Here, we are wise. We know the law.
We do not want to quarrel. I am simply saying, follow what is written in the law. As for gas aggregation, the distribution of gas falls under our jurisdiction because the land belongs to the state. Look at this — the State Constitution, Article 47(1):
“Subject to the provision of this Article, all property and assets which immediately before the commencement of this Constitution were vested in Her Majesty for the colony of Sarawak shall, on the commencement of this Constitution, vest in the State.”
This belongs to us. When Malaysia was formed in 1963, all property and assets were under the Queen because we were a colony. But because we are no longer a colony, it was transferred, and vested, and the authority was given to Sarawak, including land. It is clearly stated here, land. If land falls under Sarawak’s authority, then the submerged land in the sea is ours.
This means that the continental shelf is our right under the law. That is why we say that if you want to extract oil and gas from the continental shelf, you must seek approval first. That is how the law works.
For example, if you want to enter my house, you must greet me first. “Assalamualaikum, YB, are you home?” If the door is closed, then that means it is closed.
But if you greet me, and I open the door, you may come in, and I will serve you coffee. The same applies to Sarawak’s rights.
I am explaining this to you so that you understand why, at times, I refrain from commenting because we want to maintain harmony between the federal government and us. Let the federal government negotiate. I negotiate directly with the Prime Minister.
And Chong Chieng Jen (Stampin MP), feared that I would surrender everything. Do you think I would be foolish enough to do that? Of course not. I adhere to the law.
Ask Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof (Deputy Prime Minister). I brought him as a witness when I discussed this with the Prime Minister.
Photo: Ghazali Bujang
And the Prime Minister agreed that PETROS will be the gas aggregator in accordance with our laws. I am not afraid if some people are angry because they are used to doing things their way.
But, the Sarawak government, has always upheld the rule of law. Therefore, PBB must continue to fight for the rights enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
In terms of financial management, Sarawak has received recognition from the World Bank and the Auditor General of Malaysia, which confirms that we have managed the state’s finances well. We have also been accorded a clean certificate for financial management.
I am confident that our state revenue will continue to rise year after year, and by the next financial year, it will increase even further.
However, this success is only achievable if our unity remains intact.
As the backbone of the state, PBB is responsible for ensuring the stability and harmony of our people.
In a democracy, victories and defeats are part of the process. Those not elected (into the party’s positions) still stand with us in continuing our struggle, holding other roles and contributing to the party.
Insya-Allah, I firmly believe that by 2030 and beyond, Sarawak will be even stronger, even if I am no longer leading.
We are fighting for the future, which is why we have established the Sovereign Wealth Future Fund to secure the well-being of future generations.
So far, we have deposited RM8 billion into the fund, and I aim for it to be undisturbed for 20 years, without any withdrawals.
In addition, each year, we will continue to add between RM500 million and RM700 million to the fund.
Over the next 20 years, insya-Allah, the fund will continue to grow without any withdrawals. Thus, Sarawak will remain financially stable and not go bankrupt, despite previous claims suggesting otherwise.
Our reserves today are increasing and this is also the direct result of the unity within our party, the leadership working together as a team, and the unwavering support from all of you.
Therefore, let us all unite and work hard for our state and the people of Sarawak. Let us continue the struggle!
