Sarawak records RM198.7 billion in total trade in 2024, attracts RM106 billion in investments since 2021

KUCHING, Jan 16 2026: Sarawak recorded RM198.7 billion in total trade, with a RM71.1 billion trade surplus, for the year 2024.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg says  that infrastructure remains a key driver of ompetitiveness, stating that better roads improve efficiency and help manage costs. 

Premier Abang Johari Openg said these are are positive indicators, but they arealso a reminder that the state must stay focused, keep improving, and continueearning confidence through delivery.

“We also value sustained investor interest over time,” he said in his speech at Affin Bank’s Chinese New Year dinner here last night.

 His text of speech was read by Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah.

The premier noted that Sarawak attracted RM105.9 billion in investments from 2021 to the third quarter of last year.

 “This confidence matters and it must be strengthened through consistent implementation and practical improvements that businesses and communities can feel,” he added.

He stressed that infrastructure remains a key driver of competitiveness, stating that better roads improve efficiency and help manage costs.

He said stronger ports and logistics widen market access and support trade capacity while reliable networks give businesses the certainty to operate, expand, and innovate.

“That is why connectivity is not just a development item. It is an everydayadvantage,” he said, citing  the Pan Borneo Highway Sarawak Phase 1, as an example.

However, the premier explained that modern economies are not built on physical infrastructure alone, but they are also built on the strength of financial infrastructure.

He said the ability to mobilise capital productively  to support enterprise responsibly, adding that to widen participation so more people and businesses can benefit from growth.

“This is why financial institutions matter. They are not merely service providers. They are partners in building confidence, enabling SMEs to expand, supporting trade and investment activity, and strengthening the resilience of households and communities,” the premier said.

Sarawak misses five million visitor arrivals target by almost 29,000

KUCHING, Jan 15 2026: Sarawak is short of   28,821 visitor arrivals to reach its target of five million arrivals for 2025, according to Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Caption: Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah speaking to reporters after attending SBA-Yonex Sunrise Agreement. - Picture by Ukas 

He said a total of 4,971,197 visitor arrivals were recorded for the whole of last year, generating a revenue of about RM12,154,246 billion.

However, the visitor arrivals in 2025 was highest ever achieved by the state.

“We may not be able to achieve the five million target that was set, but when it comes to tourism revenue for last year, that is also the highest achievement we have ever achieved,” he told reporters after attending the Sarawak Badminton Association SBA – YONEX Sunrise Agreement Signing ceremony here today.

He said the achievement has provided a flood of benefits to the hospitality industry including hotels, restaurants, guesthouses and homestays which continue to enjoy an increase in tourist arrivals, thus boosting the local economy.

He said that the state’s tourism industry is seen to be on a solid track as revenue growth not only benefits industry players, but also contributes to government revenue through tax collection.

Touching on next year’s target, Karim expected Sarawak to potentially reach or exceed the five million visitor target by 2026, based on the trends of increasing visitor arrivals over the past few years.

He said Brunei remains the largest contributor to visitor arrivals to Sarawak, followed by Indonesia, in line with the improving air and land transport links between Sarawak and the neighbouring country.

 

RM4 billion allocation for the construction of government quarters, says Sarawak premier

 

GEDONG, Jan 15 2026: A total of RM4 billion has been allocated under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) for the construction of government quarters throughout Sarawak.

Premier Abang Johari: Many civil servants posted to small and remote districts do not have any quarters provided for them. 

Premier Abang Johari Openg said that the quarters will be used by both state and federal civil servants working in Sarawak.

Explaining the necessity of building the quarters, the premier said many civil servants who are posted to small and remote districts are without quarters provided for them, raising questions about how they can live and carry out their duties comfortably without good basic facilities.

“In this regard, a new approach has been formulated to resolve this issue, namely by building quarters that will be shared between the Sarawak Government and the Federal Government.

“Under 13MP, an approximately RM4 billion has been allocated for the construction of quarters throughout Sarawak.

“This facility will later be used jointly by the federal and Sarawak agencies, thus strengthening cooperation between both parties to build a stronger Sarawak and Malaysia in the future,” he said when speaking at the opening of the Digitalization of Health Clinics Using CCMS and the Healthy Malaysia National Agenda Tour (ANMS) here today.

He explained that these quarters will later be built using the concept of apartments, to be equipped with, among pyhers, gym equipment and recreational facilities.

“So far, we have developed them in Mulu, which is in the airport centre, in Limbang, which is next to the Limbang Division’s Resident Office and Jepak in Bintulu,” he explained.

He explained that this effort is to provide complete comfort and facilities to all civil servants, both those under the federal government and Sarawak.