KUCHING: Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s progressive leadership has garnered widespread optimism among the public, with attendees expressing their hopes for Sarawak’s future during the ‘Seventh Year with the Premier’ Townhall Session held at the Satok Ballroom, Hikmah Exchange Event Centre here last night (Jan 13).
Sarawak has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, achieving its highest-ever revenue performance of RM13.3 billion in 2023, following a consistent annual improvement, including RM11.9 billion in 2022.
The state has embraced initiatives like hydrogen energy and the digital economy, attaining high-income status according to the new World Bank country classifications for 2022-2023.
New Sarawak Tribune reached out to members of the public during the townhall session to get a feel of the prevailing sentiments on the ground.
Muhd Izudin, 21, Hotel Staff: “I am extremely happy and excited to celebrate the Premier’s seventh anniversary. Abang Johari has been kind, and plenty of changes have been made. My hopes are for Sarawak to continue to prosper and move forward.”
Muhd Nurhaidir, 22, Hotel Staff: “The town hall session was really good, allowing both the public and state leaders to forge better relationships. I feel proud, and I hope that the unity of the people of Sarawak will continue for a prosperous Sarawak.”
Fatin Amirah, 32, Entrepreneur: “I was very excited to come to the town hall; I was in high spirits too. So I hope that more changes can be made by the Premier. We have seen the ART come into place, as promised by Abang Johari. I also hope that free tertiary education announced would enlarge the potential of education in Sarawak. For me, as a person in business, I often attend courses in West Malaysia, and there aren’t many Sarawakians, so hopefully when the free tertiary education is implemented, more Sarawakians will be involved in all industries, including business.”
Ahmad Asyraf, 23, Entrepreneur: “I have a business, and I sell instant mee kolok. From this programme, hopefully, there are more things that are known to the public, such as job opportunities and economic benefits. Especially for us doing business, we can learn more about the state financially and other opportunities. I hope that from this town hall, agencies can identify small businesses to increase the State’s economy.”
