11/10/2025
KUCHING, 11 October 2025 - Sarawak celebrates the 79th birthday of Tuan Yang Terutama Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Haji Wan Junaidi bin Tuanku Jaafar, at Padang Merdeka here this morning. Attended by dignitaries and members of the public, the celebration paid tribute to Tun’s legacy as well as the values of unity, resilience, and inclusive progress that continue to transform Sarawak.
Delivering his speech at this morning’s event, Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg spoke of Tun’s lifelong service, from his early role in national defence to his leadership in upholding Sarawak’s constitutional rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“Tun has stood at the forefront of our struggle to uphold Sarawak’s rightful status as a founding partner in Malaysia. His leadership is a symbol of our people’s resilience in safeguarding Sarawak’s dignity and autonomy within a federal framework,” he said.
The Premier also spoke of Sarawak’s development under the GPS government, saying that since 2017, the state’s revenue had more than doubled, rising from RM6 billion to RM14.2 billion, while the 2025 budget of RM15.8 billion is the largest in Sarawak’s history.
These figures, he said, were proof of sound fiscal management and the state’s ability to fund wide-reaching development programmes. He reaffirmed Sarawak’s status as a high-income economy, with its Gross National Income reaching RM73,100 in 2024 well above the World Bank’s threshold. Yet, he stressed that prosperity must be felt by all, declaring that Sarawak’s wealth must be inclusive and no one should be left behind. Development, he said, must be channelled into infrastructure, clean water, electricity, and talent cultivation to ensure every community benefits.
On the education front, the Premier said that beginning next year, Sarawak will offer free tertiary education at state-owned universities. This initiative, he said, would remove financial barriers and allow every Sarawakian the opportunity to pursue higher learning. He also introduced the Sarawak State Ownership Policy, a new framework designed to optimise the state’s natural resources and diversify its economic base. Supported by economists and the World Bank, the policy positions Sarawak as a professional and active partner in managing its own strategic assets.
The Premier highlighted Sarawak’s growing autonomy in energy regulation, particularly through PETROS, which now oversees the state’s liquefied petroleum gas. This, he said, strengthens Sarawak’s fiscal independence and supports its broader development agenda. He spoke of the Sarawak Gas Roadmap, which guides the expansion of downstream industries such as petrochemicals and low-carbon energy. The methanol plant in Bintulu and the upcoming green ammonia facility set to be the world’s first were cited as key milestones in Sarawak’s push toward sustainable industrial leadership.
Sarawak’s rise as a microelectronics and AI hub was also spotlighted. The Premier shared that Sarawak had successfully developed Gallium Nitride chips and established a research lab in Cardiff, Wales, in collaboration with the UK’s CSA Catapult.
Infrastructure remains vital to Sarawak’s development. The Premier outlined major road projects including the Second Trunk Road, the Coastal Highway, and the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road Phase 2, all of which are designed to improve connectivity and unlock rural economic potential, particularly in agriculture and tourism. He also noted ongoing efforts to upgrade logging roads in remote areas such as Kapit and Ulu Baram, ensuring that development reaches even the most isolated communities.
“All these achievements did not come easily. They are the result of unity and hard work by the people of Sarawak, who remain steadfast in realising our shared vision for development,” he said.
Meanwhile, this morning’s celebratory programme included a cake cutting ceremony, the screening of a video titled ‘Aspirasi Rakyat’, a march past featuring 110 contingents, a cultural performance, formal salute, and the chanting of “Dirgahayu!". All eyes were momentarily fixed to the skies above Padang Merdeka as helicopters flew past, bearing the National and State flags before all the morning’s proceedings continued at the padang.
Celebrations continue tonight with a Konsert Rakyat featuring specially invited artistes including Stacy and Aman Ra, which expected to attract some 30,000 concertgoers to Padang Merdeka.