BY NURIN PATRA & ALEZXANDRIA KAPPLE
KUCHING: As Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg turns 76, Sarawakians have shared their wishes and gratitude for his leadership and contributions to the state’s development.
Many described the Premier as a visionary leader whose initiatives have improved infrastructure, education, economic growth and connectivity, while expressing hope that he will continue steering Sarawak towards greater progress and prosperity.
Sarawak Tribune spoke to members of the public from various backgrounds, who took the opportunity to convey their birthday wishes and share the initiatives they appreciate most under the Premier’s leadership.
Christine Tianni, 28, Admin executive
I would like to wish a very happy birthday to our beloved Premier of Sarawak. May you always be blessed with good health, a long life and the strength to continue doing your best for Sarawak. I believe he has done a wonderful job for Sarawak, and I am thankful for everything he has done, especially the newly completed Batang Lupar Bridge and Sarawak Science Centre (SSCiEX). These developments are exciting because they bring new experiences and opportunities that we have not really seen before in Sarawak. Having them here is truly something special. I hope the Premier will continue to thrive and lead Sarawak towards greater achievements. We have seen what he has done and what he is capable of achieving, and I believe Sarawakians are grateful for his leadership and commitment in guiding the state towards a better future
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Juzackland Clinsmens Ajun, 28, Academician
I would like to wish a very happy birthday to our Premier. We pray that he will always be blessed with good health, strength and energy to continue leading Sarawak. We, Sarawakian will always pray for the well-being of the Premier and his family. We would also like to express our gratitude for the Premier’s efforts in strengthening Sarawak’s economy, including initiatives such as the green economy. Through his leadership and administration, we can see Sarawak continuing to progress and emerge as one of the more advanced states in Malaysia. We hope the Premier will continue to be in good health and further drive economic growth, create more job opportunities, especially for the younger generation, and ensure Sarawak’s development continues to move forward.
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Alvey Carlson Augustine Hacks, 20, Student
I would like to wish a very happy birthday to our Premier. Thank you for everything you have done, and I hope you will always be blessed with good health and continue leading Sarawak with strength and wisdom. From my personal experience as someone who once studied at the University of Malaya in Peninsular, I understand how expensive flight tickets can be. As a student, the RM600 annual assistance helped to reduce the financial burden on my family and me. I would like to sincerely thank the Premier and Yayasan Sarawak for this initiative, as it has greatly benefited students like me who study outside Sarawak. Personally, I support the various efforts introduced by Abang Johari, but one initiative that is close to my heart is the support given to underprivileged schools, especially those in rural and interior areas. Having come from a village school myself, I understand the challenges students face in accessing better educational opportunities. When the Premier invests in education, he is not only helping individuals but also contributing to the development of Sarawak as a whole. A prosperous nation is built by having an educated and empowered generation. Thank you!
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Fadzim Aiman, 24, Student
My birthday wish for the Premier is that he will always be blessed with good health, prosperity and ease in all his affairs. May he continue to bring meaning and value to Sarawak and lead the state towards becoming a more developed and prosperous Sarawak. One thing I would like to thank the Premier for is the free tertiary education initiative, as it will greatly benefit students, especially those from rural areas. This initiative provides more opportunities for Sarawakians to pursue higher education without being burdened by financial constraints. I hope the Premier will continue introducing programmes that support the people, whether through education opportunities, financial assistance, digital support such as laptops, or other initiatives. These efforts make a real difference, especially for students and the younger generation in Sarawak.
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Umi Salamah, 33, Civil servant
Happy birthday to Premier. Wishing you good health, a blessed and long life, and the strength to continue leading Sarawak towards greater progress, prosperity and the well-being of its people. I sincerely appreciate your commitment to driving Sarawak’s development and improving the well-being of its people. Thank you for your dedication and leadership, and may all your efforts and contributions continue to be blessed. May Sarawak continue to see stronger infrastructure, better educational opportunities, more jobs and improved public facilities across the state under your leadership. Wishing you (Premier) continued wisdom, integrity and vision in guiding Sarawak, while remaining attentive to the needs and aspirations of the people.
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Noraini Mohd Jalil, 42, Housewife
Happy 76th birthday to the Premier of Sarawak. May Allah SWT continue to bless him with good health, a long life and the wisdom to lead Sarawak to even greater heights of success. The people of Sarawak are deeply grateful for his firm commitment to safeguarding Sarawak’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), including its rights over oil and gas resources and the recognition of Sarawak’s status as an equal partner in the Federation. I hope the implementation of the free tertiary education initiative at Sarawak-owned universities, including Swinburne, Curtin, UTS and i-CATS, will be successfully carried out from this year onwards, enabling more Sarawakian students to become highly skilled professionals. I also hope Sarawak’s status as a high-income region will translate into higher household incomes for ordinary people and contribute to eradicating hardcore poverty.
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Izza Nisrina, 24, HR admin executive
Happy 76th birthday to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. I wish him good health, a long life and continued strength to lead Sarawak towards greater progress and prosperity. I appreciate the Premier’s efforts in developing Sarawak and introducing initiatives that benefit the people. As someone who enjoys travelling, I am grateful for efforts such as Borneo Air’s fixed RM375 fare for flights between Sarawak and Kuala Lumpur, which makes air travel more accessible and convenient. I hope the Premier will continue to be blessed with good health, strength and wisdom as he strengthens infrastructure, connectivity and opportunities for the people while leading Sarawak towards a better future.
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Amos Aldrich Bundan Winter, 33, Civil servant
Wishing Premier a very happy 76th birthday. May he continue to be blessed with good health, strength and wisdom to lead Sarawak towards greater success. Thank you for your dedication and efforts in making Sarawak a better place. May God continue to bless you and guide you in your leadership. I hope the Premier will continue his dedication and commitment to serving the people of Sarawak and bringing progress to the state.
