Abang Johari hinting cheaper fare for ART commuters

KUCHING,  Aug 1 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg has hinted that the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) fare under the Kuching Urban Transport System (KUTS) is expected to be lower than the fare charged by the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg explains that state government has calculated the operating costs and will bear the fixed costs of the system 

He said this is because it will receive high subsidies from the government.

He said the state government will bear the fixed operating costs of the system to ensure that the fares charged to users remain reasonable.

He explained that the state government has calculated the operating costs and will bear the fixed costs of the system while the increase in the number of users including tourists is expected to help strengthen the operation of KUTS.

"I think we also make a benchmark based on what is offered in other places but I try to ensure that the fares are cheaper than other places," he said when met by reporters after witnessing the signing ceremony of the first Naming Rights Agreement for the ART Station.

Abang Johari added that state government subsidies are a common practice worldwide since public transport systems cannot rely entirely on passenger fare collection.

According to him, the cheap fares are charged to ensure widespread use by the people and tourists with a modern transportation system.

At the same time, he explained, this will reduce traffic congestion often experienced in the Kuching and Kota Samarahan areas in order to reduce the number of cars on the road while encouraging sustainable and clean alternatives.

State government remains committed to protecting rights of owners of native customary land, says Uggah

BETONG, Aug 1 2026: Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah has given his assurance that the state government remains committed to protecting the rights of owners of native customary land through the implementation of continuous land surveying and gazetting programmes.

Caption: Deputy Premier and PBB deputy president Douglas Uggah speaking at PBB Betong Zone Convention

He said that since 2020, about 1.2 million hectares of land have been surveyed while around 900,000 hectares have been gazetted, compared to about 260,000 hectares surveyed before 2010.

"The Sarawak government wants land to be given ownership rights. Not only increasing allocations for land surveying works, but also increasing manpower to speed up the process," he said in his address at PBB Betong Special Zone Convention today.

The convention was opened by Premier and PBB president Abang Johari Openg.

Uggah also said that Sarawak's increasing revenue generation capacity has enabled more strategic development projects to be implemented, thus bringing tangible benefits to the people.

Uggah, who is also the Second Minister of Finance and New Economy, said the state's revenue has increased from RM5.6 billion in 2017 to RM14.2 billion in 2024, thus strengthening Sarawak's financial position to finance various development agendas.

He said among the major achievements in the Betong Zone are the construction of eight bridges including Batang Lupar Bridge, Bebuling Airport (STOLport), two agro parks, a water treatment plant, more than 200 kilometres of plantation roads as well as the implementation of three regional development agencies.

He added that Sarawak is now increasingly receiving recognition at the national and international levels as a result of the state government's approach which focuses on developing a new economy based on hydrogen, artificial intelligence (AI), a green economy and strengthening the state's strategic assets including PETROS and ports.

Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Speaker Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar and members of the PBB Supreme.

Sarawak is on right track to become one of Malaysia's strongest economies by 2030, says Abang Johari

BETONG, Aug 1 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg believed that Sarawak is on the right track to emerge as one of the strongest economies in Malaysia by 2030 through the implementation of policies focusing on infrastructure development, high-technology economy, education and human capital development.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg says Sarawak now is  fourth economies in Malaysia

He said the state government has drawn up various strategic initiatives to ensure the state continues to grow sustainably, thereby improving the standard of living of the people throughout the state.

"In terms of the economy, we are among the top five in Malaysia. Besides Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor and Labuan, we are in fourth place.

"I think, by 2030, if our planning is right, our position will improve, overtaking either Johor or Selangor," he said when speaking at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Betong Zone Special Convention today.

Touching on infrastructure development, he said various large-scale projects are being implemented, including the construction of bridges and roads that will transform connectivity in central and coastal Sarawak.

He said new road network projects, including the construction of major bridges, would shorten travel time between areas such as Betong, Saratok, Spaoh and surrounding areas, thereby spurring rural economic growth.

"Money needs to be found, and we are thankful that our revenue has increased from RM7 billion to RM14 billion.

"This is our development performance.

"All this requires substantial spending, but strong state financial management has enabled Sarawak to carry out these projects using its own financial resources," he said.

On the future economy, Abang Johari said Sarawak continues to focus on clean energy development, particularly hydrogen, as an environmentally friendly alternative energy source.

He said the state government's early investment in hydrogen technology has now placed Sarawak among the world's leaders in hydrogen economy development, earning international recognition.

He said the state government allocates hundreds of millions of ringgit annually to finance higher education in order to produce a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting the needs of the new economy.

Also present were Deputy Premiers Douglas Uggah Embas and Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker  Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, PBB Supreme Council members, delegates and PBB members from the 14 branches of Betong Zone.