An exclusive interview with the Right Honourable Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg.
SARAWAK IMPACT: When you became the leader of Sarawak in 2017, after serving in various government portfolios for over 40 years, what insights did you gain that influenced your priorities for Sarawak?
RIGHT HONOURABLE PREMIER OF SARAWAK: First and foremost, I put God first because I believe that following the teachings of our faith is crucial in making decisions that benefit our society. As Sarawak’s leader, I am of the firm conviction that we must have control over
our own destiny and create policies that focus on the needs of our state. We cannot rely on others to make decisions for us. Additionally,
we must be bold and innovative in our development approach, taking risks and exploring new avenues for growth.
I also know that Sarawak needed to catch up with other countries that are already in the digital age. But rather than simply catching up, Sarawak must leapfrog and surpass other countries in digitalisation and digitisation.
I also recognize the immense potential of our energy resources, particularly renewable energy, and I believe that we must harness them
for long-term growth. I decided that we must have the rights over our energy resources and so, we bought over the rights to our Bakun
Dam from the Federal government. I am also prioritising the development of green energy resource such as hydrogen, solar and biofuels.
SARAWAK IMPACT: While this process of restoring Sarawak’s authority to administer and govern some crucial areas under the agreed terms of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 was started by your predecessor, the late Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem, he assigned you to oversee the process of negotiation with the Federal government as the Chairman of the Working Committee on the Devolution of Power and Empowerment. And so, as you stepped into your role as Premier, this was an issue that you continued to pursue and prioritise in your government. Why is this crucial in Sarawak’s development journey?
RIGHT HONOURABLE PREMIER OF SARAWAK: As I have often said when asked about this, this is something that is close to my heart.
I have this strong sense of duty and destiny as the son of my beloved father, Tun Abang Haji Openg, to work hard and commit
to making this happen.
I know that it will make my father proud if the rights of Sarawak, as it was agreed on and stated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963,
will be honoured, as he was one of the key people involved in the formation of Malaysia that time.
Beyond this personal reason, however, is the pragmatic reason that our success in becoming a developed nation by 2030 rests
on Sarawak gaining back its rights as was agreed on in Malaysia Agreement 1963. We need to regain autonomy for the State in
crucial areas of governance. The process of devolving authority to Sarawak encompasses a gamut of areas and issues, most of which are complex and complicated.
The areas close to my heart are in the area that governs education, the civil service, health, welfare, tourism, fisheries, heritage and housing. We want all of these to be in tandem with the State requirements, and so, we will work hard for Sarawak to restore its
autonomy over these areas.
Another crucial issue is in the area of financial matters. While it is in our Federation’s constitution that the Federal government must provide
State governments with financial resources for development, Sarawak chooses to be more financially independent.
We will still get our share of development allocations from the Federal budget but we want to be more innovative in generating and managing our revenues from our own resources. We have crafted a new Sarawak Financial Model which enables us to be innovative in generating revenue for Sarawak’s development and economic growth.
I am committed to pursue this process of devolution of our rights, one step at a time. Any inroads we gain in this process of restoring our
rights under the MA63 and IGC Report, no matter how small, bodes well for the future of our children.
SARAWAK IMPACT: The first bold initiative that you declared the first month that you became the Premier of Sarawak in 2017 was the transformation of Sarawak’s resource based economy into that of the DIGITAL ECONOMY. Why was this your immediate priority for Sarawak?
RIGHT HONOURABLE PREMIER OF SARAWAK: In the ‘90s, we managed to transform Sarawak’s economy from a largely agriculture-and-forestry based economy into a thriving industrial manufacturing-and-services based economy.
Looking back, when we decided to go into high tech manufacturing, it was something that was entirely new and deemed improbable by some people even. At that time, just the thought of us competing with countries like Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and closer to home, Selangor and Penang, was really intimidating. But we were armed with the conviction that Sarawak can offer distinct advantages to these investors.
True enough, we were able to bring in the likes of major Japanese companies to set up their operations here. Other high tech companies from other countries soon followed.
That experience made me see that there is nothing we cannot achieve if we have strong conviction, solid commitment and passion to achieve our goals. This is my main motivation to focus on the digital economy when I took over the helm of Sarawak’s government because I am confident that these qualities of Sarawakians will lead us to success in the digital era.
Success in this digital era depends on technology and our mastery of this technology. We cannot leapfrog unless we address the issue of lagging ICT infrastructure here in Sarawak.
That’s why I dared to commit RM1 billion to upgrade our ICT infrastructure during my first year in office. Sarawak’s Digital Economy Strategy was crafted shortly after and was implemented the same year.
Now, we are seeing the results. With state-of-the-art ICT infrastructure, even those in far-flung areas of Sarawak can operate an online business to access consumers in other countries, via e-commerce.
In fact, when the covid pandemic happened in 2020 and 2021, Sarawakians were able to maintain a degree of normalcy in terms of their work and their studies, and in maintaining connections with each other, through online platforms and tools. This would not have been possible were it not for the significant investment we had put into our digital infrastructure and capacity building for our people
during the three years prior to the pandemic.
We are intensifying efforts to develop digital talent and entrepreneurs who will know how to make full use of digital technologies to gain success in the global marketplace, no matter where they are in Sarawak.
We must bear in mind that majority of Sarawak’s population is aged 45 and below. We have a young population who are computer literate. We can develop this young population into IT-savvy entrepreneurs to make the most of the opportunities in this digital age.
We have the resources and we must apply these resources to help them because Sarawak’s future depends on them. Sarawak does not lack talent and our young people only need the opportunities and resources for them to employ their skills and talents in this digital age. That is what my administration is committed to give them- the resources and the opportunities for them to tap their potentials in the digital economy.
SARAWAK IMPACT: The crux of your development agenda for Sarawak is “SUSTAINABILITY”. Back when you were serving as Sarawak’s Minister for Industrial Development and subsequently, as the Minister for Tourism, you started promoting eco-friendly businesses and sustainable tourism practices in Sarawak. And now, as the Premier of Sarawak, you are leaving no stone unturned in attaining the “Sustainability” agenda under Sarawak’s Post Covid Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030). Why do you have such strong conviction that this is the way to go for
Sarawak, then and now?
RIGHT HONOURABLE PREMIER OF SARAWAK: Today and in the future, sustainability matters! That is key to a strong economy. I believe that focusing on sustainability is not only the responsible thing to do but also the smart thing to do for Sarawak’s future. Our beautiful environment and natural resources are valuable assets that can be leveraged to attract sustainable tourism and investment, creating jobs and economic growth in a responsible manner.
Now, as the Premier of Sarawak, I am committed to attaining the “Sustainability” agenda under Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030). We have identified sustainability as the central pillar of our development agenda for the state. We are working to reduce our carbon footprint, diversify our economy, and promote sustainable practices across industries, from agriculture to manufacturing.
I strongly believe that promoting sustainability is the way to secure a bright future for Sarawak. We have the resources, and the talent to become a leader in sustainable development, and we are committed to working with our partners to achieve this vision. With clean energy, sustainable tourism, and responsible business practices, we can build a resilient, prosperous, and sustainable future for Sarawak.
SARAWAK IMPACT: What measures has Sarawak undertaken to show your commitment to achieving the “Sustainability” agenda?
RIGHT HONOURABLE PREMIER OF SARAWAK: Globally, the climate change issues has reached a critical juncture. All nations of the world must act to mitigate the impact of climate change globally. We will issue Sarawak’s own climate policy soon, focusing on three sources of green energy – hydropower, solar energy and hydrogen – to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to address climate change issues. Among the expected results from the study will be a baseline on GHG by the energy sector, transportation, industrial processes, agriculture, land-use change and waste management
The Sustainable Sarawak Blueprint is also being developed to guide all sectors and communities in the state to achieve sustainability goals. The blueprint will address concerns related to biodiversity conservation and natural resources management as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation and concurrently create an enabling environment with modern infrastructure in tandem with the country’s Fourth Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0.
Since 2017, we have started several projects focused on reducing our reliance on fossil fuel and amount of carbon footprint through the use of clean hydroelectric power resources and turning hydrogen into a primary fuel for transportation.
For hydropower, the state boasts three (3) hydro dams – Batang Ai, Bakun, Murum, – with a combined capacity of 3,452mw of renewable energy. Another one in Baleh will be commissioned in 2027. This renewable energy source is critical to Sarawak’s development in several ways, such as decarbonising the power system, providing the lowest average electricity tariff in Malaysia for residents and businesses, reducing carbon emissions as well as mitigating floods. The hydro dams are capable of holding back floodwater during the wet season and releasing it downstream in a controlled and regulated manner. Additionally, Sarawak’s first Renewable Energy Certificate is also available, enabling businesses to offset their carbon emissions.
Sarawak aims to be a pioneering force in the hydrogen-based green economy, leveraging its plentiful water resources. Sarawak’s strategic move to tap into hydrogen is expected to propel economic growth in Sarawak, owing to the necessity for comprehensive decarbonisation across all economic sectors globally. This trend is contributing to the global emergence of the green hydrogen market and its by-products, making it highly advantageous for Sarawak’s economic prospects. We aim to begin large-scale commercial production and export of hydrogen by 2027.
We have also started our R&D efforts in tapping the potential of biofuels such as micro algae as energy sources as well as implementing solar energy projects.
In terms of our oil and gas resources, we recognize that such natural resources are exhaustible and commodity prices are uncertain in the long run. So we are into better management of oil and gas resources to optimally manage the revenue generated from our O&G resources for the benefit of future generations, We have set up PETROS (Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) in 2017 to leverage revenues from Sarawak’s oil and gas resources to drive sustainable development across Sarawak. PETROS is now looking into projects focusing on methanol-based derivatives, as well as renewable energy. Green methanol is a low-carbon fuel that can be made from either biomass gasification or renewable electricity and captured carbon dioxide (CO2 ). PETROS is also spearheading our efforts to implement Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), which is a significant step to enable the Green Economy. Research has shown that Sarawak peatlands are one of the most efficient carbon stores of all terrestrial ecosystems.
Sarawak is also undertaking R&D on large-scale production of locally sourced algae for bio-industrial applications in food, fuel and feed items. Sarawak has also started giving serious attention to our marine resources. Adopting the Blue Economy principles of using the ocean’s resources in a sustainable way to create jobs and improve people’s lives.
According to the World Bank and the United Nations, it’s important to protect the ocean ecosystem while growing the economy. In Sarawak, this means using the ocean in a way that benefits everyone and helps bring in more money for the state. One project that’s part of the Blue Economy is the Artificial Reef Balls Project. This initiative helps fishermen in Sarawak earn more money by creating habitats for fish to live in. Another effort is Coastal Control, which helps keep the coast clean and safe for everyone who uses it. The development of Smart cities and communities and the provision of Eco-friendly Transport Systems are also a key component of our environmental sustainability efforts in Sarawak.
Sarawak is pioneering an Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) that will use hydrogen fuel cell-powered trackless vehicles that will run on dedicated lanes. This will be first such first public transit system in the world.
Hydrogen and Electric Bus Services were introduced in 2019 (hydrogen buses) and 2021 (electric buses) in Kuching’s urban public transport system. These hydrogen buses and electric buses will also serve as feeder buses to ART. This will be green alternative for environmentally conscious passengers but also in providing convenience for everyday commuters. Electric Vehicle Charging Stations are also going to be installed throughout Sarawak to reduce carbon emissions and encourage more Sarawakians to own EVs.
