KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will soon announce the details of Sarawak’s sovereign wealth fund.
He said the fund will be launched next year and Sarawak is the only state to have such a savings initiative for the future generations.
“Besides the federal’s Khazanah Nasional Berhad (the sovereign wealth fund for Malaysia) no other states are coming up with a sovereign wealth fund except for Sarawak.
“The sovereign wealth fund is a strategic institution and the constitution for it has been established. I will hold a press conference on the details, such as the board of directors and its directions very soon,” he said when officiating at the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) fifth anniversary celebration at Pullman Hotel here last night (Aug 1).
With Sarawak’s diverse revenue reengineering and gearing towards the new economy, Abang Johari said this has enabled the state government to set aside an allocation for the sovereign wealth fund.
The state government is focused on giving back and fulfilling the needs of the people, from developing amenities and infrastructures to realising the aspirations of providing free tertiary education to all Sarawakians, he said.
“Everything that we do is for the people of Sarawak. When I was entrusted to take over the leadership of our state government following the passing of the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, it was a big responsibility.
“When I was the deputy chief minister, I had Tok Nan to refer to and he would make the decision. But now, I must make the decisions and of course, I seek guidance and grace from Allah SWT.
“I want to continue to fight for Sarawak and with the spirit of Sarawak First. This is where new ideas came in which we are now pursuing,” he said.