Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, celebrates his third year as Chief Minister today.
We know he is friendly and affable and his favourite song is the 70s hit Kasih Sayang.
Popularly known to Sarawakians as Abang Jo, he will be turning 70 this April 4.
How is he personally and what does he like to do and eat?
New Sarawak Tribune: Can you describe a little about yourself?
Abang Johari: Well, I’m very open-minded person and I like to explore new ideas.
Being chief minister, and a family man, how do you balance time between family and work?
I think because of my long experience in the public service. I became an assemblyman at the age of 30. And now, it is coming to 40 years. I think I get used to it lah.
My family has also gotten used to it. My wife (Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang) whose late father was a politician knows the demands.
That is why I was a bit reluctant to be an assemblyman when I was approached by Tun Abdul Rahman Yakub (Sarawak’s third chief minister). I told him to find somebody else.
Tun Rahman said ‘no’… he wanted me. He approached my mother to persuade me to enter politics. My mother said, “Don’t go against your elders”.
That is my weakness, when my mother said this…I had to follow. Maybe from that experience, I managed to divide my time.
You are a busy man. How do you maintain a healthy lifestyle?
Our health must be managed properly. Normally, after meals, I will do a bit of exercise. Sometimes I go swimming or do exercise on the treadmill.
I’m not a golfer. I tell you why I’m not. Because the golf course is within my constituency (Satok). Every weekend banyak (many) orang kahwin (get married). So no time to play golf.
If you play golf, people will say where is YB? Sure main (go and play) golf. There is a restriction there because you need to give priority to the people.
Sometimes, I do gardening behind my house. I have already planted tomatoes, vegetable salad, coconuts, mangoes, bananas, and chillies. I have a small greenhouse that uses hydroponics.
Who do you normally turn to when you need somebody to talk to? Wife? Children? Bodyguards?
Normal lah, of course, my wife.
But I think about my children, they have their own world. I have two (one boy, one girl). They are IT people. Sometimes, I get inspiration from them too.
What do you love most about your wife?
She is a very understanding person.
Your favourite food?
Mee Jawa.
What’s your life’s motto?
First, of course, is to be happy, don’t be too obsessed and must believe in Allah. Whatever Allah has decided for you, you just take it lah.
I fear no one except Allah. As a Muslim, I believe in this, you don’t bring whatever you have (property) to the grave. Some people have so much property but the children end up fighting among themselves.
Just enjoy what you have, and most importantly, be grateful for what you have.
