IT is not luck, it is leadership.
That is my one-line answer to those who are quick to dismiss Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s meteoric rise as a leader and now, trendsetter for the rest of Malaysia and the ASEAN region being down to a string of good luck.
Not only is this argument preposterous, but it is downright insulting.
It insults the knowledge of the people not only in Sarawak or Malaysia but in the Southeast Asia region.
Luck has nothing to do with it – the political stability, good policies and the economic achievements, it is all hard work and most importantly, leadership.
As I read the article by a columnist for a national portal who is trying to pivot the argument, I am astounded by his sheer ignorance in crafting that narrative.
Abang Johari’s political career is one that is marred by trials and tribulations. He has acknowledged that fact. Only through his never-ending perseverance and resolve that he finally reached the summit of Sarawak politics.
He will be the first to relate to you his experience being put into political cold storage and was limited to heading lesser ministries in the past, despite being a senior party leader.
He even acknowledged that during this difficult period of his career, he was labelled as a glorified ‘tourist guide’ when he assumed the position of Tourism Minister, a far cry from his previous post as Industrial Development Minister.
He soldiered on and was unperturbed. His loyalty to his party and dedication to serving the people saw him promoted to more senior ministries and finally as deputy chief minister in 2016.
His stint as deputy chief minister did not last long as he succeeded his predecessor, the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem as the sixth chief minister in Jan 2017.
Abang Johari was passed over for the top job a few years earlier when the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud retired as chief minister. But as fate would have it, he is now Sarawak’s number one leader. He has proven his worth.
After becoming chief minister and continuing the work of his predecessor, the government he led suffered a setback when during the 14th General Election (GE14), the Barisan Nasional (BN) federal government was voted out.
A different federal government meant that Sarawak was going to be sidelined and it did. However, this only strengthened Abang Johari’s resolve to ensure Sarawak’s interests are upheld.
Now in Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), he charted a new political course whereby Sarawak is fighting for itself and by itself. The legal saga to asserting Sarawak rights over the imposition of State Sales Tax (SST) comes to mind.
Finally, after the PH government collapsed in early 2020, only then did Sarawak begin to enjoy the fruits of its labour whereby the SST is now a major revenue contributor to its coffers. This wasn’t easy.
If it was easy then Sabah would have done it – which they did but only after Sarawak endured a harrowing fight to assert its rights to SST.
It was also not luck that Sarawak is enjoying its economic fortunes now and being revered as among the pioneers of global energy transition and environmental sustainability.
Sarawak is also regarded for its digital technology adoption and prowess. Much of the work began earlier when Abang Johari assumed leadership, he introduced the digital economy strategy.
Not too long after, he acknowledged the global trend leaning towards green economy and adjusted Sarawak policies as such.
He laid out his vision in the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) launched on Sarawak Day in 2021.
Today, Abang Johari proudly represents Sarawak on the world stage, being invited to speak at international forums on energy transition where our knowledge and expertise are being sought after.
The success and the recognition that Sarawak enjoy now did not happen overnight and most definitely was not down to good luck.
The revenue generating policies that was put forward years ago allowed Sarawak to be on solid footing financially. Sarawak is now even providing initial financing for federal projects which is to be reimbursed and repaid later by Putrajaya.
Never, has a state government provided a loan to the federal government as it was always the other way around.
Politically, Abang Johari has proven to be an adept tactician, being a mainstay in national politics, serving under five prime ministers – Datuk Seri Najib Razak; Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad; Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin; Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and now Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
His influence as well as leadership that he has shown has even made people especially in West Malaysia wishing that Abang Johari is their prime minister.
This was down to his policies and the political stability in Sarawak, where the people have little interest in petty politics.
It was on this premise that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition won 76 out 82 seats in the previous Sarawak State Election. The majority now has increased to 79 out of 82 seats, with three former opposition members crossing the aisle.
It was also on this premise that GPS is now the third largest bloc in the federal government after Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) despite only contesting in Sarawak-based seats.
This was not luck. On the contrary, it was unlucky that they did not win more.
Under Abang Johari, Sarawak has become a political heavyweight and kingmaker. Now there are whispers of discontent from West Malaysia that Sarawak is becoming too strong.
Being a region on solid political and economic footing in a nation where it is politically and economically wanting will earn you some dissenters.
Maybe the article I mentioned is a calculated political attack or an attempt to divide the people, who knows?
They will always be those coming to disrupt our progress and unity among the people. It has happened before and it will happen again.
We must learn from history and how outside forces seek to divide and rule.
Sarawakians must continue to fight for Sarawak and its interests. Abang Johari has kept his end of the bargain and the people must do the same.
As the old saying goes: Fortune favours the bold.
