Sarawak: The symbolic traits of wisdom, intuition and transformation associated with the Chinese Year of the Snake should be embraced by the Sarawakians to drive the state forward in its development agenda, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, in his Chinese New Year message, he emphasized that these qualities are crucial for navigating the opportunities and challenges which lie ahead as the state progresses. Sarawakians must continue to reflect on the past while advancing with awareness and compassion.
The Premier described the year as dynamic for learning from the past. He urged the people to adopt these inherent traits to maximize their journey through the new year, which will present both opportunities and challenges.
Sarawak's ongoing strategic initiatives are clear evidence of this transformation. The state had already started the new year of 2025 on a strong note with the first shipment of methanol produced in Bintulu to China on January 14. This milestone was achieved after Sarawak Petchem, a petro-chemical company wholly-owned by a Sarawak entity, successfully established the methanol plant in Tanjung Kidurong, Bintulu, symbolizing the state's determination to develop the downstream of its natural gas resources.
Abang Johari highlighted that the methanol production and shipment marked the first step in Sarawak's journey toward utilizing more gas as feedstock to produce a range of products, and generating power to drive the state's economic growth. He noted that each LNG (liquefied natural gas) cargo ship that leaves Bintulu without further domestic processing represents lost opportunities for Sarawak to benefit from the value chain development of its gas downstream sector.
He also expressed appreciation to the federal government for granting Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) the authority to serve as the state's single gas aggregator. This is a crucial step for advancing the domestic gas industry, creating higher-paying jobs, and stimulating the local economy.
With this approach, Abang Johari is confident that Sarawak's gas resources can be transformed into a major downstream industry, boosting the economy over the next five years and beyond. The ultimate aim is to increase Sarawak's household income to be on par with, if not surpass, the national average.
The Sarawak's Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), which is built on the pillars of economic prosperity, social inclusivity, and environmental sustainability, has garnered attention both domestically and internationally as a model for economic transformation. Abang Johari expressed confidence that with wisdom and structured planning, Sarawak will become a high-income and developed region by 2030, drawing inspiration from the Year of the Snake to move forward with resilience and determination.