Abang Johari likens Sarawak’s economic ambition to Bavaria, calls state Malaysia’s heartbeat

BINTULU, May 23 — Unity among Sarawak’s multiracial and multi-religious communities remains the cornerstone of the state’s success in positioning itself as Malaysia’s emerging economic powerhouse, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

According to a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) report, Abang Johari said Sarawak’s political stability and strong social cohesion have enabled the state government to aggressively pursue future industries such as green energy, hydrogen and the low-carbon economy.

“What matters is our unity regardless of religion and ethnicity. We are united in one movement to position Sarawak like Bavaria in Germany.

“Sarawak is becoming the heartbeat of Malaysia’s economic development and if we succeed, Malaysia succeeds,” he said when officiating at the Sarawakku Sayang (SKS) Bintulu 2026 programme here.

Abang Johari said Sarawak’s bold but carefully calculated move into the green energy sector is now yielding results, with the state becoming the first hydrogen production hub in the Asean region.

“We take risks, but they are calculated risks. We must be able to anticipate future developments because fossil fuel resources are depleting while hydrogen is expanding.

“That is why today we are the first hydrogen production hub in Asean,” he said.

He added that Sarawak’s sustainable development model has also gained international recognition, with the World Economic Forum naming Bintulu as one of four low-carbon industrial clusters globally.

According to him, the recognition reflects Sarawak’s ability to balance rapid economic growth with environmental sustainability.

In another major achievement, Abang Johari said Sarawak has exported more than one million metric tonnes of methanol to the Asia-Pacific market, generating billions of ringgit in value.

He noted that methanol produced in the state carries significant added value as it can be processed into downstream products such as ammonia and fertiliser.

During the programme, the Premier also presented symbolic contributions under the Sarawak Basic Needs Assistance (SKAS) and the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) to 10 recipients.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof; Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian; State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar; State Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom; and State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki. — The Borneo Post

المصدر: Malay Mail