Chinese community gets Sarawak Governor's praise in his Chinese New Year's message

KUCHING, Feb 15 2026: Sarawak Governor Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has praised the Chinese Community in Sarawak for having long played an important role in the progress of the state, especially in the fields of economy and entrepreneurship. 

Captiom: Sarawak Governor Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar says that   the Chinese community also plays a significant role in various sectors such as politics, education, and social—which are key factors in the success and progress of Sarawak as a progressive and harmonious region 

He said there is no doubt that they have become the backbone of many sectors of the Sarawak economy, including trade, agriculture, commercial agriculture, modern enterprises, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and investment.

“In addition to developing the family economy, they have driven the growth of Sarawak's economy,” he said in his Chinese New Year’s message.

“In general, the Chinese community also plays a significant role in various sectors such as politics, education, and social—which are key factors in the success and progress of Sarawak as a progressive and harmonious region,” he added.

The governor said in line with the goals of the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), the Sarawak government is very transparent, inclusive and concerned about the welfare of all Sarawakians, including the Chinese community.

He added that there are several forms of assistance and support provided by the Sarawak government to the Chinese community, especially in the aspects of education, social and welfare.

“For example, in 2024, the Sarawak government under the leadership Abang  Johari Abang Openg has allocated around RM22 million to Chinese medium schools in this region, namely RM12 million for Chinese Aided Primary Schools and RM10 million for Chinese Aided Secondary Schools.

“This is an increase from RM9 million to RM12 million for primary schools compared to the previous year and is an effort by the Sarawak government to support the development of student talent and strengthen multi-stream education.

“This assistance is part of the Sarawak government's efforts to develop highly skilled human capital and make Sarawak a developed state by 2030,” he said.

Wan Junaidi also said the Sarawak government continues to recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) to enable Chinese school students to pursue their studies at Sarawak-owned universities, including in strategic fields such as satellite technology and aerospace, with Education in Sarawak universities and higher education institutions planned to be provided free of charge this year.

“In addition, the Sarawak government also implements Welfare programmes, especially for low-income groups in conjunction with major festivals through the Chinese New Year Flower of Love Programme.

“This is a special initiative of the Sarawak government that is held consistently during every major festival, aimed at easing the financial burden of low-income families among the Chinese community,” the governor said.

Sarawak should also get 40 per cent of total federal revenue collected from us, complains PBK president

KUCHING, Feb 15 2026: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan complained today that  there is no reason for Sarawak to be treated differently, knowing that Sabah is entitled to 40 per cent of revenue collected by the federal coffers, in the Federation of Malaysia.

PBK president Voon  Lee Shan: If one founding territory receives structural fiscal protection, and the other does not, constitutional equity is offended.  

“What Sabah gets, Sarawak also should get. Further, anything less transforms partnership into hierarchy or colonialism,”he said in a statement when responding to Premier Abang Johari Openg’s revelation that the Sarawak government was asking for a 20 per cent share of federal revenues collected in Sarawak.

Voon explained that both Sabah and Sarawak stood in identical positions in 1963, saying that they were Borneo territories and negotiated safeguards.

“Both entered Malaysia on the basis of autonomy assurances,” he said.

“If one founding territory receives structural fiscal protection, and the other does not, constitutional equity is offended.

“The law is not merely text. It is principle. And equity demands parity,” Voon, who is also a practising lawyer, said in a statement.

He said Malaya or the federal government should know a true federation is built upon mutual respect, balanced power and structural fairness.

He said the federal government must know that federalism is part of Malaysia’s basic structure where founding territories are all of equal status.

He said if Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement is recognised as constitutionally entrenched, then denying Sarawak equivalent structural treatment creates arbitrary inequality and discrimination between co-founders of the nation, adding that such inequality distorts the federal balance envisioned in 1963.

“Sarawak is not asking for privilege but, Sarawak is asserting constitutional symmetry.

“The federal government should understand, a federation survives not merely on law, but on trust.

“Sarawak contributes significantly to national wealth, particularly through petroleum and natural resources. Yet development disparities remain stark in many rural regions of the state,” he stressed.

He said political morality demands that revenue extraction be matched with fair return, saying that a government that takes disproportionately while returning inadequately weakens democratic legitimacy.

Sarawak must become technology creator, no longer consumer, says premier in his Chinese New Year's message

KUCHING, Feb 15 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg (picture) said that Sarawak must become a technology creator and no longer just a technology consumer if it wants to break out of the cocoon of being a low-technology-based region.

He said Sarawak's success so far through the Sarawak government company, SMD Semiconductor, in creating a Gallium Nitride-based compound chip powered by AI or GaN chip is a testament to the effort to become a chip designer rather than just a chip assembler.

“The path to success in becoming a technology innovator is not easy as it requires a lot of expert manpower and research and development or R & D which is costly,” he said in his Chinese New Year’s message today.

“In addition, Sarawak needs to collaborate a lot with experts both domestically and internationally to achieve this dream,” he added.

The premier said that Sarawak's success in creating GaN chips is firstly a result of collaboration with CSA Catapult UK which provides research facilities in Cardiff, United Kingdom.

He said the research in Cardiff has yielded results with the creation of GaN chips used in Keteq AI devices to ensure efficient use of electrical power.

He also said that the year 2026 brings the potential for closer cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia, especially Sarawak, in terms of cross-border green energy generation and distribution, as well as high-tech development.

He said two weeks ago he attended the Indonesia Economic Summit 2026, where the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs expressed his desire to cooperate with Sarawak in the semiconductor sector because Sarawak has shown success in this field.

“Sarawak, through the X-FAB Company, has been successfully manufacturing analog chips at the Samajaya Free Industrial Zone in Kuching since 1998 and the production center is undergoing an expansion at a cost of RM3 billion to increase production,” he added.

Petros-Petronas legal dispute over oil and gas commercial agreement to end soon?

SATOK, Feb 15 2026: Petros and Petronas may not  proceed with  their on-going legal dispute over oil and gas commercial agreement as they are currently engaged in negotiation to settle the matter out of court, Deputy Minister Ibrahim Baki said as reported by Public Communications Unit (Ukas) today.

Caption: Satok SLM Ibrahim Baki affixing his signature on a Chinese sign board 

He said negotiations involving Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) and Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) regarding oil and gas issues are targeted to reach a commercial settlement without the need for protracted court proceedings.

Ibrahim, the deputy minister in charhe of Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) and Petros, stated that discussions between both parties, alongside the federal and Sarawak governments, are still ongoing in a professional and mutually respectful atmosphere.

“We are still in discussions, and I am confident there is a formula. Hopefully, we can reach a commercial settlement between Petros and Petronas, together with the governments under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg.

“Both parties have their respective views, however, our stand is clear, which is to uphold existing laws.

“If necessary, the court will make a determination, and we respect that process. However, we hope this matter can be resolved amicably without reaching that stage,” he said, quoted by Ukas.

He said this when met by the media during a contribution presentation and Chinese New Year gift programme here.

In a related development, the annual tradition of engaging with the community in conjunction with Chinese New Year continues, with 40 recipients from the needy Chinese community in the Satok constituency area receiving contributions.

According to him, the programme has become a yearly practice to reach out to local residents, especially those in need, while strengthening community ties.

“Chinese New Year is a time to strengthen family bonds and maintain cultural traditions.

“The horse symbolises energy and speed. We hope this year will be better than the last, blessed with good health, longevity, and a harmonious life,” he remarked.