We have no time for politicking, but are busy on development, says premier

KAPIT, Nov 6 2025: Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg said that Sarawak has no time for politicking, unlike other parts of Malaysia.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg: Not busy on politicking, but busy on development is unique to Sarawak 

“We are busy on development, not busy on politicking,” he said at the opening of the new Upper Rajang Development Authority (URDA) regional office and witnessing the symbolic launch of the High Impact Community Project (HICP).

“That we are not busy politicking, but are busy on development is something beautiful and unique for us,” he said.

He said he and other state leaders come to Kapit not to do politicking, but to improve the livelihood of the people, whether it is in the urban or rural areas.

“Last week, I was in Limbang to launch the Northern Coastal Highway and may be, at the end of this month, I would  launch another road project, that is, from Miri to Marudi, Long Terawan straight to Mulu and then to Limbang,” he said.

He said the road from Mulu will eventually connect with Belaga, thus will open up land for development.

He said the next phase of development for Kapit will be on socio-economy after the completion of infrastructure projects, such as roads and water and electricity supplies.

He said he has discussed with Kapit MP Datuk Sri Alexander Nanta Linggiu and other leaders on the socio-economic programme for Kapit at the Sarawak Development Coordination Committee (SDCC) meeting held earlier in the morning.

He said the socio-economic programme will be the next phase to upgrade the livelihood of the people “because our target is to increase household income.”

“But we must have strategic approaches on how to increase the household income,” he said, adding that among the approaches are upgrading human capital and infrastructures.

The SDCC meeting this morning approved RM1.5 billion in alternative funding for 42 projects, including major road and bridge works, water supply initiatives, and the on-going Kapit Master Plan, which charts a sustainable and well-planned urban growth strategy for the region.

URDA has also implemented 24 socio-economic programmes under the COMMUNITY@SCORE initiative, benefiting local entrepreneurs, farmers, and small scale industries in agriculture, fisheries, and rural enterprise development.

The HICP aims to uplift rural livelihood and B40 communities by integrating inclusive

economic activities that strengthen the value chain and promote sustainable income

generation.

Through translational research, innovation transfer, and business facilitation, the programme seeks to create long-term socio-economic impact within the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) region.

Under this initiative, URDA will oversee 60 participants across two  project

locations.

The projects worth RM5.5 million are funded by Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (TERAJU), with Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) as strategic partner and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) as implementing agency.