State Financial Secretary explains transforming State-owned Enterprises is to ensure Sarawak achieves its development aspirations, economic targets

KUCHING, June 11 2026: The transformation of the State-owned Enterprises  (SoEs) is an important element in ensuring that Sarawak achieves its development aspirations and economic targets set by 2030.

Financial Secretary Wan Lizozman Wan Omar (picture) said that statutory bodies and SoEs play a major role in driving the state's development through the infrastructure, investment, transportation, digital transformation and social development sectors.

According to him, the state government through the Office of the State Financial Secretary has implemented various initiatives to strengthen the governance, performance and long-term sustainability of SoEs.

"As Sarawak moves towards realising its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) target of RM282 billion by 2030, the role of statutory bodies and SOEs is not only important, but also indispensable.

"These entities are not just implementers of government policies, but rather function as growth drivers that drive state development encompassing infrastructure development, investment, transportation, digital transformation and social development.

“The aspirations by 2030 can only be realised if these institutions and the people who lead them are prepared to face the challenges ahead.

“To ensure that SoEs remain relevant and have a significant impact, they need to continue to grow and transform continuously and decisively,” he said.

He said this when speaking at the ‘Sarawak SoEs Transformation Programme: A Pledge for Good Governance, High Performance and Value Creation' programme here, on Thursday.

The programme was officiated by Premier Abang Johari Openg.

He added that the results of the study found that several SoEs were facing challenges such as dependence on government grants, limited income, less productive assets and constraints in financing development expenditure.

In this regard, a transformation framework was introduced by focusing on cost optimisation, increased revenue and business model improvements to strengthen financial sustainability and organisational performance.

He also stressed that strong governance, effective risk management, the use of digital technology and credible leadership were among the important elements in ensuring the success of the transformation.

Sarawak government loan balances are projected to decline to RM1.7 billion by 2030, says premier

KUCHING, June 11, 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg has projected that the existing state government loan balances are projected to decline significantly to approximately RM1.7 billion by 2030 through stronger financial performance and loan restructuring initiatives.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg says stronger SOEs would ultimately create greater value not only for themselves but also for the state and the people they serve.

He stressed that dividend contributions from commercial government-linked companies (GLCs) are expected to be more than double as  profitability improves.

“These outcomes will strengthen both the financial sustainability of our SOEs and the fiscal position of the State, creating greater capacity to invest in future development priorities,” he said when officiating at the Sarawak SOEs Transformation Programme: A Pledge for Good Governance, High Performance and Value Creation today.

Abang Johari said stronger SOEs would ultimately create greater value not only for themselves but also for the state and the people they serve.

He said Sarawak could reduce operating grant requirements by approximately RM403 million by 2030 through the transformation of its State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), with the savings potentially redirected towards infrastructure and development projects across the state.

He said the projected savings would allow the government to channel more resources towards priorities that directly benefit the people.

“RM403 million. That is money that can be redirected to rural roads upgrading, to schools repairs, and to infrastructure development that opens up economic opportunities in every corner of Sarawak,” he said.

He said the transformation programme is aimed at strengthening financial sustainability, reducing dependency on government support and improving overall performance among SOEs.

According to a Financial Self-Reliance Study conducted on 36 entities, government grants currently account for approximately one-third of the total income of statutory bodies, while about 44 percent of their operating expenditure is funded through government grants.

“Nearly half of the cost of operating some of these entities continues to be funded by public resources.

“This is not merely a financial issue. It is a question of stewardship and accountability.

“The resources entrusted to these entities come from the hard work of taxpayers, businesses, and ordinary Sarawakians who expect us to manage public funds responsibly and deliver meaningful outcomes,” he added.

Abang Johari stressed that transformation was necessary to ensure public resources are utilised more efficiently while enabling SOEs to become stronger and more self-reliant.

Father killed, son seriously seriously injured when car hit road driver while negotiating p-turn at Tanjung Skrang

BETONG, June 11 2026: A 64-year old man was killed while his son was seriously injured when when the car were travelling in hit a road divider and overturned while negotiating a p-turn at Tanjung Skrang, near here, this afternoon.

Caption: The badly damaged car after the accident 

The man, identified as Liang anak Sait, was confirmed dead by the paramedics on the spot while the son, Stanley, who was seriously injured was later rushed to the Betong Hospital.

Betong Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), in a station, said it received an emergency call about 1.45pm.

“The firemen, upon arrival at the location, it was found that there was a single-vehicle accident involving a Perodua Axia vehicle that had hit the road divider.

“The two victims were involved in the accident,” the statement said, adding that the driver died at the location, confirmed by the Ministry of Health (MoH) personnel, and another passenger victim suffered serious injuries.

Both the victims were still in the vehicle.

AirBorneo is working to expedite the necessary maintenance and bring affected aircraft back into service, explains CEO

KUCHING, June 11 2026: AirBorneo Airways Sdn Bhd is working intensively to expedite the necessary maintenance and bring affected aircraft back into service at the earliest opportunity, its chief executive officer Megat Ardian Wira explained in a statement.

Caption: AirBorneo aircraft 

He said the safety of passengers and crew has remained airline’s paramount priority and is never compromised.

 ”Any aircraft requiring technical attention is withdrawn from service and returned only once the airline’s engineers are fully satisfied that it is completely fit to fly - a standard the airline will not relax for the sake of schedule,” he added.

He said AirBorneo, to strengthen the resilience of its operations, is actively reviewing its maintenance and parts-supply arrangements, including seeking out additional and alternative partners, to secure faster and more reliable access to the components its operations depend on.

“In parallel, the airline continues to invest in the renewal of its fleet, progressively introducing newer-generation aircraft to deliver more consistent and dependable service over the long term.

"We fully understand how much our communities rely on these connections, and we are doing everything in our power to restore normal operations quickly,” Megat Ardian said.

He said the airline’s teams are working around the clock with its partners to expedite maintenance.

“At the same time, we are actively reviewing our supply arrangements and seeking alternative partners where needed, so that we can give the people of Sarawak and Sabah the dependable connectivity they deserve,” he said.

He added AirBorneo understands the inconvenience that recent disruptions have caused its guests and is doing its utmost to return services to normal as quickly as possible.

Sarawak's development approach must not be influenced by racial sentiments, says Dr Annuar

KUCHING, June 11 2026: Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dr Annuar Rapaee stressed that Sarawak's development approach must not be influenced by racial sentiments that could undermine the harmony and political stability of the state.

Caption: Deputy Minister Dr Annuar Rapaee says Sarawak must continue to distance itself from race-based politics for a more sustainable future

"Racial sentiments can easily stir emotions, but their consequences can damage the stability and unity we enjoy today.

"Sarawak must continue to distance itself from race-based politics for a more sustainable future," he said at the opening of the Sarawak Malay Graduates Convention held at the Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG) Batu Lintang today. 

He added that political stability and public unity are the key factors contributing to Sarawak's success in achieving sound financial management, thereby enabling the state government to implement various welfare initiatives, including free education.

He emphasised that the ability to provide free education is a result of effective economic management and state revenue surpluses that are returned to the people.

"A government with surplus income should give it back to the people, and free education is one of the best forms of investment for the future of Sarawak's children," he explained.

In addition, he also stressed the importance of mastering the English language as a future necessity, without sidelining the Malay language as the national language.

He said that proficiency in English provides a competitive advantage in the job market, and therefore efforts to strengthen English language skills must be pursued in a balanced manner.

Dr Annuar said the graduates convention served as an important forum for strengthening community unity and discussing the direction of education and human capital development in the state.

He said that the organisation of such a convention is highly significant in empowering the Sarawak Malay community — which does not constitute a majority group — while ensuring that their voices and interests continue to receive due attention.