I will fight for all Sarawakians, regardless of race. I’m the Premier of Sarawakians; the Sarawakians’ interest are my top priority and concern.
– Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg
There are moments in political life when rhetoric feels routine, rehearsed, even hollow. And then there are moments which are rare, almost defining, when leadership speaks not just with authority, but with clarity, conviction and a sense of historical purpose.
Listening to the opening and closing addresses of Premier and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the recent GPS Convention was, to me, one of those moments.
I must confess, YAB, I was not merely impressed, I was genuinely awed. There was a quiet confidence, a command of detail, and above all, a vision that stretched far beyond the immediate political horizon. It is not often that one walks away from political speeches feeling both reassured and challenged at the same time. Yet that is precisely what happened here. In those two speeches, the Premier did not just recount achievements; he framed an entire decade of governance that I would not hesitate to call The Abang Jo Decade.
To appreciate the weight of that phrase is to understand the scale of transformation Sarawak has undergone in the past 10 years. And what stood out most in his speeches was not boastfulness, but a structured narrative, one that linked policy continuity, economic ambition, social cohesion and political discipline into a coherent whole.
At a time when much of Malaysian politics is caught in cycles of instability, shifting alliances and short-term calculations, Sarawak presents a striking contrast. The model articulated by Abang Johari is one rooted in stability and long-term planning. It is a governance philosophy that does not chase headlines but builds foundations. That difference, subtle yet profound, explains why Sarawak today is increasingly seen not as economically underdeveloped, but as a rising centre of economic and policy innovation.
The Premier’s articulation of this model was precise. He emphasised continuity. Not as stagnation, but as disciplined progress. Under GPS, policies are not abandoned midway; they are refined, scaled and executed with consistency. That alone has given Sarawak something many governments in Malaya struggle to achieve: credibility. Investors trust consistency. Citizens trust predictability. And development thrives on both.
Yet stability alone does not build a decade. It must be matched by evolution. And here, too, Abang Johari demonstrated how his administration has not merely held the line but advanced it. The transformation of Sarawak’s infrastructure landscape stands as one of the most visible markers of this progress. Roads, bridges, ports and connectivity projects have redefined access and mobility across the state, linking rural communities to economic centres in ways that were once unimaginable.
But beyond physical infrastructure lies an equally significant shift; the embrace of technology and the digital economy. Sarawak is not content to remain resource-rich; it is positioning itself to be knowledge-driven. From digital initiatives to smart governance frameworks, the state is building an ecosystem that supports innovation while maintaining inclusivity.
Perhaps nowhere is this forward-looking vision more evident than in education, which is one area the Premier spoke about with unmistakable passion. His remarks on education during the closing speech were not just policy statements; they were a moral argument. The allocation of RM260 million to state-owned universities, the support extended by Yayasan Sarawak to thousands of students, and the bold move towards free tertiary education for qualified Sarawakians all point to a leadership that understands one fundamental truth: the future is built in classrooms.
Abang Johari’s reasoning was simple yet powerful. Economic statistics may place Sarawak in the high-income category, but household realities tell a more complex story. Bridging that gap, he argued, requires more than economic growth; it requires opportunity. And opportunity begins with education.
His emphasis on STEM disciplines was not incidental. It is directly linked to Sarawak’s broader ambitions in fields such as hydrogen energy, engineering and advanced industries. When he speaks about chemistry for hydrogen or physics for infrastructure, he is not merely highlighting academic subjects, he is mapping the intellectual backbone of Sarawak’s future economy.
This alignment between education and economic strategy is perhaps one of the most important strengths of his administration. It reflects a leadership that does not see policy in silos but as interconnected systems.
The same integrated thinking is evident in Sarawak’s economic expansion into strategic sectors. The state’s moves to strengthen its financial and commercial institutions, from Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS) to its stake in Affin Bank, signal a deliberate effort to build financial autonomy. The establishment of its own airline and television station further reflects this push for institutional self-reliance.
Equally significant were the earlier strategic decisions to regain control of key assets such as Bakun Dam and the ongoing efforts on Bintulu Port. These are not merely administrative achievements; they are assertions of economic sovereignty.
And reinforcing all this is what the Premier described, both explicitly and implicitly, as the “Sarawak First” spirit. This is not a slogan of isolationism, but one of rightful prioritisation. It is about ensuring that decisions affecting Sarawak are made with Sarawak’s interests at heart, while still contributing meaningfully to the federation.
This naturally leads to the Premier’s strong stance on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). His speeches made it clear that MA63 is not a relic of the past but a living framework that must be honoured in practice, not just in principle. His emphasis on consultation, particularly on matters such as judicial appointments for the High Court in Borneo, was both firm and measured.
The point he made was straightforward: consultation is not a privilege; it is an established process. By reiterating that the Yang di-Pertua Negeri should be consulted in such appointments, he was reinforcing an understanding that has already been agreed upon. To continue questioning it, he suggested, only delays progress and creates unnecessary friction.
This insistence on clarity and respect within the federal framework is a hallmark of his leadership. It is assertive without being confrontational, principled without being provocative.
Beyond governance and policy, the Premier also touched on Sarawak’s role in the global shift towards sustainable energy. His advocacy for hydrogen as a key energy source places Sarawak at the forefront of the green economy. At a time when global energy markets are volatile, his argument that hydrogen represents the future is gaining increasing recognition.
Even in times of crisis, such as the ongoing US-Iran tensions affecting global markets, the state’s response has reflected both compassion and pragmatism. The extension of further assistance to affected Sarawakians recently shows a government that remains attentive to its people, even as it navigates larger economic challenges.
Taken together, these achievements paint a picture of leadership that is both visionary and grounded. It is no exaggeration to say that future leaders will face a formidable challenge in matching this standard. The foundation laid over the past decade is not just extensive, it is deeply embedded.
Yet perhaps the most striking aspect of Abang Johari’s speeches was not the list of achievements, but the coherence of the narrative. There was a sense that every initiative, every policy, every decision was part of a larger story, one that is still unfolding.
That is what makes The Abang Jo Decade more than just a convenient label. It represents a period in which Sarawak has redefined its path, strengthened its identity and positioned itself for a future that is both ambitious and attainable.
And as I listened to those speeches, I could not help but feel that we are witnessing something significant, not just for Sarawak, but for Malaysia as a whole. A model of governance that prioritises stability, invests in people, asserts its rights with dignity, and plans not for the next election, but for the next generation.
If that is not worth acknowledging, or even admiring, then one wonders what is!
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at rajlira@gmail.com
