Kuching: The Sarawak government is now on a solid footing to strengthen its economic autonomy and sovereignty through the implementation of the 'Sarawak State Ownership Policy', the first policy of its kind in Malaysia, said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the new policy would enable the state government to optimise the management and value of Sarawak's assets in a professional, integrity-based, and sustainable manner, aligning with the aspiration to make the state an active partner in the country's federal structure.
"With clear principles and frameworks, this policy will ensure that Sarawak is able to manage its own resources to develop a diversified and sustainable economic base," said Abang Johari during the 79th Birthday Celebration of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar at Padang Merdeka.
Also present at the event were Wan Junaidi's wife, Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, and the premier's daughter, Dayang Norjihan. Abang Johari emphasized that the policy is a continuation of Sarawak's struggle to demand state rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), ensuring the well-being of the people is maintained.
"As a result of this struggle, Sarawak now has regulatory authority over liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), an important resource in the energy sector. Through the Sarawak Government-owned company, Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS), we now have the ability to manage our own resources," he added.
He stated that the increasing autonomy provided the state government with the opportunity to formulate its own policies in crucial areas such as education, health, and energy, ensuring their implementation aligns with local needs and realities.
Abang Johari expressed confidence that through a clear autonomy framework and state ownership policy, Sarawak would continue to emerge as a sovereign and competitive territory, setting an example of effective governance within the country's federal system.
The ceremony featured a parade and a large rally with 110 contingents from government departments, security agencies, educational institutions, and community associations. Attendees included Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Sarawak Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, along with a line-up of state cabinet ministers and other dignitaries.