Latest news with #AbangJohari
Borneo Post
16 hours ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Chinese medium secondary schools receive RM10 mln annual grant from Sarawak government
Abang Johari (right) presents the RM10 million cheque to Lau. Also seen are Dr Sim (second right) and Wee. KUCHING (June 20): The Sarawak United Association of Private Chinese Secondary School Management Board (Sha Dong Zong) received an RM10 million grant from the Sarawak government today. The annual funding is for the 14 Chinese independent secondary schools in the state. Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg presented the cheque to association board members here today. Association chairman Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau Lee Ming pointed out Chinese independent secondary schools have received such grants annually since 2014, when the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem was chief minister. The initial RM3 million grant increased yearly until five years ago when the association started to receive RM10 million each year. 'Over the past decade, the total cumulative funding has reached RM92 million. This long-term commitment has significantly alleviated the financial burden on school boards and provided a stable foundation for the sustainable development of all 14 Chinese independent secondary schools across Sarawak,' he said. Lau pointed out that the schools depended very much on public donations as they do not come under the Education Ministry. He thanked Abang Johari and the Sarawak government for their steadfast support. 'The continued allocation reflects the government's strong recognition of and commitment to the multi-stream education system in Sarawak, and serves as a testament to the enduring contributions and academic achievements of the Chinese independent school sector,' he stressed. 'In Chinese tradition, it is often said: 'To govern the nation well, one must first cultivate talent; and to cultivate talent, education must come first.' The Premier reaffirmed that enhancing the quality of local education remains a central pillar in Sarawak's strategic vision to become a high-income region by 2030.' Lau noted that the recently announced '2026 Free Higher Education Scheme for Outstanding Students' will also cover Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) candidates, reinforcing the Sarawak government's policy direction of nurturing home-grown talent. In alignment with the Premier's 'Third Language Policy', he said Chinese independent schools will continue to enhance their trilingual education model of Mandarin, Malay, and English, while actively advancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. Among those present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian and Sha Dong Zong deputy chairman Datuk Richard Wee.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Premier Abang Johari briefs TYT on Pre-Council meeting
Abang Johari (left) in discussion with Wan Junaidi during the courtesy call at the Astana Negeri. KUCHING (June 19): Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, received a courtesy call from Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the Astana Negeri here, in conjunction with a Pre-Council session. The meeting, which commenced at 10am today, was held ahead of the Sarawak Cabinet Meeting and served as a platform for the Premier to brief the Head of State on several key matters, in accordance with the Sarawak Constitution. According to a post on Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi's official Facebook page, the session lasted for nearly an hour and saw both leaders engage in a cordial and productive discussion. 'During the meeting, Abang Johari presented several important matters to the Governor, who in turn shared his views and suggestions for the Premier's consideration. 'Tun Wan Junaidi expressed his gratitude for the constructive dialogue and described the atmosphere as warm and amicable,' it stated. He also conveyed confidence that, under the leadership of Abang Johari, Sarawak would continue to progress steadily with unity, peace and harmony among its people towards becoming a developed and prosperous state. The Pre-Council meeting is part of a routine engagement between the Premier and the Head of State ahead of the State Cabinet Meeting. abang johari Pre-Council meeting Wan Junaidi
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Premier: Sarawak to boost eco-tourism with planned Lake Development Authority
Abang Johari (right, front row) and Uggah (left, front row) performing an opening gimmick in the form of harvesting a paddy stem. – Photo by Ukas KUCHING (June 17): The Sarawak government is exploring the establishment of a Lake Development Authority (LDA) within the next two years to manage and develop lake areas across the state, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. According to a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) report, Abang Johari said the move is aimed at providing a structured and coordinated approach to the development of both natural and man-made lakes, particularly as potential eco-tourism destinations. 'In the next two years, we are looking into the possibility of establishing a Lake Development Board that will regulate and manage all our lakes, including dams and natural lakes such as Bengoh Lake,' he said when officiating at the Gawai Dayak JPS celebration held at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex in Petra Jaya today. 'This means we will have a more structured approach in developing lake areas, which have the potential to become tourist attractions.' Among the areas being prioritised is Baleh in Kapit, which he described as having a beautiful river and strong potential for nature-based tourism. In addition, the Forestry Department and the Agriculture Department have been directed to preserve the environment, including efforts to replant trees such as 'Ensurai' which are a food source for Empurau fish. 'In other words, the lake can be re-enriched with Empurau fish, which will indeed be the main attraction in the area for tourists. This will certainly give a boost to economic development in the area,' said Abang Johari, who is also Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Planning. This effort will only be successful if implemented by the relevant agencies as a team, particularly by the Civil Service One team, he said. Meanwhile, the Premier also shared that Sarawak recorded a strong and encouraging financial performance in the first quarter of 2025, which he hopes will be sustained through the remaining quarters of the year. 'I think that in the first quarter of 2025, our performance will be 'not that bad', including our financial position. We hope that for the next three quarters it will continue to be consistent and this will certainly give us an advantage so that we can develop the rural areas, especially.' Such financial stability will give the Sarawak government an advantage in implementing its development agenda, especially in rural areas that need continuous attention, he stressed. He also highlighted the progress of bridge construction projects across the state, which will further accelerate rural development and open new economic opportunities. 'The completion of these bridges will open a new chapter in Sarawak's economic development,' he said. Also present at the function were Sarawak Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai, Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak Attorney General Dato Sri Saferi Ali, Sarawak Deputy Secretary (Administration) Datu Buckland Bangik and Sarawak Deputy Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel as well as heads of departments and other dignitaries.
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Premier: PM has requested for Sarawak to explore energy grid link to Southern Philippines via Sabah
Abang Johari (second right) and Fadillah (left) seen arriving at the event. KUCHING (June 16): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has requested the Sarawak government to explore the possibility of extending its renewable energy grid to southern Philippines via Sabah, revealed Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. He said the matter is currently under discussion and will be subject to the final decision of the Federal government. 'That (matter) is under discussion. I leave it to the Federal government. If they say okay, then we will do our part in order to extend to the Asean grid. That is the future we have in Sarawak,' he added during a welcoming dinner for the 43rd Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME) held at a local hotel here tonight. Highlighting Sarawak's growing role in regional energy cooperation, Abang Johari noted that the state already supplies electricity to West Kalimantan, Indonesia, and is set to provide up to 100 megawatts to Sabah beginning early next year once the interconnection is completed. He said Sarawak Energy has also taken a 25 per cent equity stake in the Mentarang Induk hydropower project in North Kalimantan, Indonesia, further cementing Sarawak's commitment to cross-border energy integration in Borneo. 'With the technology available and advanced technology that can produce the cleanest energy, we are able to contribute in a small way from Sarawak to the Asean power grid,' he said. On Sarawak's energy development roadmap, the Premier said the state currently has an installed capacity of 7 gigawatts, of which 65 per cent is derived from hydropower. Plans are in place to raise this to 10 gigawatts by 2030. Key projects contributing to this goal include new gas turbine plants in Bintulu (1,000MW) and Miri (500MW), as well as the upcoming Baleh Hydroelectric Project in Kapit, which will add another 1.2 gigawatts to the state grid. 'We are a small country with a population of over 2.8 million, and if we have a surplus of power, we share with our brothers and sisters in Asean,' he said. Abang Johari also reiterated Sarawak's commitment to hydrogen as a future energy source. He highlighted ongoing collaborations with Japan, South Korea, Petronas subsidiary Gentari, and Siemens to produce hydrogen through electrolysis. 'God permits, by next year we will have a public transport ART (Autonomous Rapid Transit) fuelled by hydrogen. We will be the first in this region,' he said. He further shared Sarawak's initiatives under its Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) policy, development of the Sarawak Gas Roadmap through state-owned Petros, and plans to expand methanol and ammonia production to serve energy and industrial sectors, including international shipping. 'Our methanol plant is already producing 5,000 tonnes per day, and we are exporting to China. Perhaps one day this methanol can be converted into ammonia as another form of energy,' he said. Welcoming the Asean SOME delegates, Abang Johari expressed hope that their visit would also offer an opportunity to experience Sarawak's vibrant culture and development achievements. He concluded by expressing confidence that the Asean region, working together in the spirit of mutual understanding and technological collaboration, can secure a brighter and more sustainable energy future. 'I wish you all the best in your deliberations, and may the future of ASEAN be bright,' he said. Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, PETRA Secretary General Dato' Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli and other officials. Abang Johari Tun Openg anwar ibrahim Asean energy grid renewable energy
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
S'wak ready to contribute energy resources to Asean Power Grid, says Abang Johari
KUCHING: Sarawak is ready to contribute its energy resources to the Asean Power Grid, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg. The Sarawak Premier said the state planned to increase its installed power capacity from seven gigawatts (GW) now to 10GW by 2030, maintaining a ratio of 60-70% from renewable energy based on hydropower and the rest from gas turbines. He said Sarawak was building 1.5GW gas turbines in Bintulu and Miri, while the upcoming Baleh hydroelectric plant will produce 1.2GW. "In the next four years we will be able to add another 3GW to the present installed capacity of 7GW. "And if we have surplus power, we share it with our brothers and sisters in Asean," he said at the welcoming dinner of the 43rd Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Energy here on Monday (June 16) night. Abang Johari said Sarawak was already supplying power to West Kalimantan and will supply 100MW to Sabah starting next year. He said a proposal to extend the power supply from Sabah to southern Philippines was under discussion. "I leave that to the Federal Government. If they say okay, then we will do our part to extend it. "I am sure that with the technology available, we are able to contribute in a small way to the Asean Power Grid," he said.
