KUCHING: Governance in Sarawak must adopt new approaches that align with changing times as transformation requires two key foundations.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said these two key foundations are world-class infrastructure and a shift in mindset among the people.
“If you want to be a world-class developed economy, your infrastructure must be world-class. Secondly, we must change the mindset of the people we lead so they can accept and adapt to changes.
“When I first took over, I saw Sarawak’s immense potential. In 2017, we began with a major shift in communication — from conventional methods to digital. In managing a state and society, one thing is constant – change. We must change,” he said.
He said this during the Townhall with the Premier at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre on Tuesday evening.
The Townhall with the Premier was organised by TVS in conjunction with his ninth-year anniversary in office.
Reflecting on how his push towards digitalisation initially faced skepticism, Abang Johari said the COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a turning point as it demonstrated the necessity of technology as a key tool for governance and communication.
“Beyond digital transformation, fiscal strength is also a critical factor in development particularly in ensuring the state has sufficient resources to build infrastructure and support long-term growth,” he said.
Following the digital economy initiative, Abang Johari said Sarawak established key institutions to strengthen its economic foundations, including the setting up of Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS), the formation of Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS), and Sarawak’s takeover of the Bakun Hydroelectric Dam among others.
“I would like to thank the Federal Government for returning the Bakun Dam to Sarawak. As a trading state, Sarawak also requires strong import-export capabilities which led to the acquisition of Bintulu Port.
“These institutions now serve as vital economic drivers aligned with the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, helping to elevate Sarawak’s economy while strengthening governance structures. At the same time, we have seen the people of Sarawak accept these changes, and I thank them for embracing transformation to uplift our state,” he said.
Addressing global economic challenges, Abang Johari warned of the “middle-income trap” which has stalled progress in many developing nations.
“We may grow our economy, but others are moving faster. If we only keep pace, we remain stuck. To become a high-income economy, we must be bold, creative, innovative and think out of the box — but in a calculated way,” he said.
Abang Johari stressed that while Sarawak is blessed with abundant natural resources, the true value lies in innovation and value addition.
“Resources alone are meaningless if they are not fully utilised. What we need are advanced minds to add value to what we have,” he added.
