FIRST of all, I would like to congratulate all of us for being able to come together to discuss matters that are very close to us – matters that are very close to Sarawak – and how we position Sarawak as a developed region in Malaysia by 2030.
We have discussed the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS), and I have been informed that Datuk Amar Jaul Samion has presented in detail the policies that we have introduced, as well as those that we have already implemented.
Although we have not yet reached 2030 – we are now in 2026 – at the very least, we have already achieved remarkable progress through the implementation of our key policies.
Of course, there are many more successes that can be highlighted. But what is important is that our infrastructure and our environment have already opened.
Even though it is not yet complete, the first steps have already been taken. Some areas are progressing quickly, while others are moving more slowly and still require attention. But alhamdulillah, the world has already begun to recognise us as a growing economic region, even though we have not yet reached 2030.
Our target remains 2030, but we are already being acknowledged ahead of time. As I mentioned earlier, one of the key areas we must focus on is household income. The income of families must be increased.
I believe that as we continue implementing these policies towards 2030, with the modernisation of our economy and improvements in how we manage economic development, our household income will increase. This is especially true through the knowledge and skills that we provide to our children.
I have also observed that there are questions being raised – whether our children will be able to secure jobs in the future, especially those from lower-income families. If they cannot find employment, they may end up unemployed. This is why we must change our approach.
I was recently given the opportunity to attend a convocation ceremony at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), involving about 800 graduates. When I looked at the data, many of them were from certain fields of study.
So, I asked, why are so many of our children choosing human resource as their field? If there are too many personnel in one area but not enough positions available, they will end up unemployed.
The reason was simple because it is easier to pass. When students choose courses that are easier, fewer will go into finance or accounting, so it becomes easier to graduate.
I am not saying our children should only aim to get a degree. What concerns me is when they graduate and still cannot find a job, that means something is wrong with us. That is why, under the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), we are structuring programmes related to STEM. We now have 64 programmes.
Even in engineering, we have expanded into various fields such as civil, electrical, petrochemical and chemical engineering. But today, engineers must also understand digital applications such as BIM (Building Information Modelling), and other systems even in road development. This means engineering has expanded into many specialised areas.
The same applies to IT. Today, we must learn cybersecurity and digital safety. The field has diversified significantly.
Yes, these courses may be difficult, but we must encourage our children to pursue STEM because our economy up to 2037 will revolve around these sectors. The courses may be tough, but the jobs are already waiting.
I will be frank that we are short of surveyors. We need people who can measure, plan and carry out quantity surveying, but we do not have enough. We even have to send students to Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) because there is so much work to be done.
Processes such as Native Customary Rights (NCR) land require proper measurement; otherwise, certification cannot be issued quickly but we are short of manpower.
Surveying companies are often swamped with a lot of work, but we cannot fill these positions due to a lack of skills. Surveying today is not like before because methods have changed, and we must upgrade our expertise. That’s touching on conducting completing surveys, not about building roads.
Much of our land is swampy, when building roads, they become uneven. In the past, when the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud undertook projects such as the Samarahan roads, they required ongoing maintenance because the roads became uneven due to the land conditions.
So, we have changed our approach. Today, we build elevated roads over swampy land, which requires specialised skills. Sarawakians can now do this. If not, how would we have built the Batang Lupar Bridge? It will be opened to the public soon. So, from engineering alone, we need many experts and that is just for roads.
Then, there is IT infrastructure. Signals are essential for communication, WhatsApp, video calls and everything depends on connectivity. This requires specialists, including expertise in space-related technologies. Because of that, we also need expertise in spectrum laws. This means our lawyers must learn new areas not just contracts, but also technology-related matters.
So, through FTES, we are planning for the future. When students graduate, we want to need their expertise. If they only take arts-based courses, we will have many unemployed graduates.
We are building a new economy in Sarawak with a new approach. As economist Joseph Schumpeter explained, economic development involves “creative destruction”, where new sectors replace those that no longer exist. Because the environment changes, new economic activities will emerge.
So, we must think ahead – what jobs will exist in the future? Looking towards 2037, will Sarawak be ready? Will mechanics be able to repair hydrogen-powered vehicles, which are very different from conventional engines? So, jobs will change. And within GPS, it is our responsibility to prepare employment opportunities for our children in the future.
At the same time, we must also be knowledgeable because circumstances have changed. Some people are questioning our laws whether the Oil Mining Ordinance (OMO) 1958 is still valid. We must be ready to argue that laws that existed before Malaysia are still recognised and remain relevant under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
That is why GPS makes no compromise. We must firmly uphold both OMO and the Distribution of Gas Ordinance (DGO) 2016, which remain in force and was never repealed. If people question us, we will respond.
This is what led to misunderstandings with PETRONAS previously. But we follow MA63 and will defend our legal position under the Constitution. We must remain united. If anyone challenges us, take it to court – we are ready. Alhamdulillah, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof chairs the MA63 technical committee.
As ADUNs and MPs, we have sworn to uphold the Constitutions of Sarawak and Malaysia. As long as there is no wrongdoing, we will continue to defend Sarawak’s rights. We follow the law. We are not from the jungle – we are civilised. Sarawakians understand the law.
On judicial matters, I am informed that when judges are appointed, it has become customary for the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (TYT) to be consulted. This matter has already been resolved under MA63. I was involved in the committee for a long time.
It has been agreed that judicial appointments involve TYT, including for the High Court of Borneo. We have capable legal experts, including Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, and there is no need to question this. If the issue is raised again, we will respond with facts.
GPS is not greedy. We act within legal parameters and based on agreements made during the formation of Malaysia. ‘Sarawak First’ means prioritising Sarawak’s rights under those agreements.
I would like to thank all of you for your views, and we in GPS will continue to fight for our rights based on facts and the provisions under MA63. We have PCDS, but alhamdulillah, we are also exploring new approaches such as carbon trading. This is a new area, and currently carbon trading is exclusive to Sarawak and Sabah.
Initially, the federal government wanted to take control of it. I said that land belongs to Sarawak, and carbon trading is part of Sarawak’s natural resources. If you take it, you breach the agreement – it is our constitutional right. Alhamdulillah, the federal government agreed to exclude it, and now we manage our own carbon trading.
Trees on Sarawak land produce oxygen and regulate greenhouse gas emissions, meaning Sarawak has rights over these resources. I am concerned that this may be taken as well, so we must be prepared. Carbon trading is important to Sarawak.
While it is conducted on a sovereign-to-sovereign basis between Malaysia and other countries under federal jurisdiction, when carbon tax is calculated, Sarawak’s rights must be taken into account because the source of carbon management lies within Sarawak.
That is why GPS is cautious in dealing with changes in this new economy. Insya-Allah, the leadership of GPS will prioritise the rights of Sarawak. We must not rush – if we rush, things may go wrong. We must study everything carefully.
Finally, I would like to thank all of you. The future of Sarawak will be determined by Sarawakians themselves, while we continue to work together with our partners in Peninsular Malaysia. Only Sarawakians truly understand our culture and politics.
That is why in the past, during Tun Taib’s time, we made it clear that UMNO did not need to enter Sarawak. We do not want outside parties interfering in Sarawak. We already have good cooperation – we are like family – but do not disturb Sarawak.
We are not introverted. We take into account the needs of Malaysia. If Sarawak progresses, Malaysia progresses. If Sarawak’s economy is strong, Malaysia is strong. Taxes flow to the federal government.
If Sarawak is strong, revenue goes to Putrajaya. If Sarawak weakens, Malaysia will also weaken. So, what are we protecting? We are protecting both Malaysia and Sarawak.
I do not know when the elections will be. But GPS will field candidates in all constituencies. I say this clearly – only GPS can manage Sarawak. We cooperate, but that cooperation must be respected. Without Sarawak, the federal government may not be as stable, because Sarawak contributes to that stability.
In the past, when Prime Ministers changed frequently, we were called “kingmakers”. But we are not kingmakers – we love Malaysia. We want Malaysia to be stable and strong. That is why when the Yang di-Pertuan Agong called for a unity government, we agreed.
But do not take advantage of that goodwill. Be fair – GPS is fair, not malicious. We love Malaysia. We have signed agreements with the federation. When we speak about Sarawak’s rights, it is not because we are greedy – it is because we understand our rights. Greed is not our culture; we share.
Today, many of us are connected – Sarawakians marrying people from Peninsular Malaysia, and vice versa. We are one big family. So, we struggle together – but Sarawak’s rights remain Sarawak’s rights.
When we implemented FTES, some people said we were giving too much. They joked about finding a partner in Sarawak because education is free. But for us, we have done what we needed to do.
There were also comments questioning why Sarawak provides assistance during crises, such as global conflicts. Some say it is political, because elections are near. But we provide assistance because people need help.
Some say it is preparation for elections – but I am not thinking about elections. I am thinking about the people’s livelihoods. People need basic necessities – rice, milk, sugar.
That is why we increased assistance from RM950 to RM1,100. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and I were assessing whether we have the means to do this, but I told him, “Don’t worry, just give”.
Some may wonder whether it is enough – do not worry, we are providing support in three phases. In May, we will support our Dayak friends for Gawai.
In November, we assist families with school preparations. At least there are resources to manage household needs.
Electricity – I instructed Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) that the government will absorb part of the cost, reducing tariffs by 25 per cent for everyone. For traders, including small businesses in places like Satok and Stutong, we reduced costs by up to 50 per cent across Sarawak. This allows families to have savings.
For B40 and M40 groups, this makes a difference. Some may not need to pay for electricity until the end of the year. Did I tell President Donald Trump to attack Iran? No. The situation happened, and families need support, so we give. This is not because of elections. It is because people need help.
In closing, as the late Tok Nan once said:
“Nyiur gading puncak mahligai,
Sayang ketupat berisik inti,
Hancur badan tulang berkecai,
Belum dapat belum ku berhenti.”
This is our struggle. I am confident that GPS will continue to be a strong platform for Sarawak’s cause. The leadership across all component parties is united and strong.
If Kuching City can defeat Selangor, then surely GPS can defend Sarawak’s rights for the future.
Hopefully, this gathering today will help us see the path forward. I have shared with you what may happen up to 2037 – only God knows whether I will still be here by then. But we must remain steadfast in our struggle for Sarawak’s future.
Let politics be conducted properly – so that Sarawak can be protected and strengthened. GPS will remain the platform of struggle for Sarawak – ‘Sarawak First’.
