KUCHING: Sarawakians are not yet ready for Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to step down, says Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS), Datuk Abdullah Saidol.
He said that although Abang Johari had hinted that the next PRN could be his last election, he believed the Premier was still capable of continuing to lead Sarawak.
“I think I have no hesitation in saying that the majority of Sarawakians are not yet ready for the Premier to end his tenure. We still want him to be around and continue until beyond 2030.
“Personally, representing voters in N.42 Semop, we are not yet ready for the Premier to retire. We still need his mind and there are many of his development agendas that have yet to be achieved because we are looking towards 2030,” he told reporters during the Sarawak Media Workshop 2026 at Multipurpose Hall, CENTEXS Santubong, Kuching here today.
Abdullah added that Sarawak’s performance under the leadership of the Premier had taken the State forward compared to other states.
On speculation that a successor to Abang Johari has been identified, Abdullah dismissed it as speculation.
“I would dare say that all of that is speculation. We must, if possible, remember the speculation surrounding the successor to the late Tok Nan previously. There were a lot of speculations, but eventually, there was consensus,” he stressed.
He added that he had confidence in the wisdom of GPS leaders, including Abang Johari, to determine his successor when the time came.
He said whoever succeeded Abang Johari would need strength and wisdom that was equal to, or greater than his, to continue Sarawak’s development agenda.
“I think Sarawak is now known in Malaysia for being very progressive. I mean, we still need the Premier to be around, together with his wisdom, to work towards the mission of a developed Sarawak by 2030 and probably beyond that,” he said.
