Abang Johari keeping close to his chest on the dissolution date of the Sarawak State Assembly

BAU, June 22 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg is keeping  close to his chest on the dissolution date of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (SLA) to pave the way for the state election.

Caption: Premier and  GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg refuses to give any indication on the timing of the dissolution of the state assembly

He simply refused to give any indication when pressed by reporters after the opening of the Bidayuh Cultural Centre Bau (BCCB) today.

“When is the (state) election? I don’t know either. So I cannot respond to your question,” Abang Johari said, quoted by  online news portal Dayak Daily.

He said his focus now is on “other priorities”

However, political pundits believe that the coming Sarawak state election could be held in November.

The term of the current SLA expires in February next year.

The election date could be clearer after Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) has its three regional conventions between July and September this year.

Based on past experiences, most of the state elections were held in November.

The last state election was held in December 2021 soon after the lifting of the state of Covid-19 emergency.

Holding state election in December is rather rare because the month is often associated with wet season and, therefore, unsuitable.

Meanwhile, the premier said a building in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, has been identified  to be used as the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office, which will serve as a hub for economic and trade links between Sarawak and the region.

He said the office will be developed according to the same model as the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office currently operating in Singapore and Brunei Darussalam.

"We have identified a building in Pontianak to be the office of the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office like the ones we built in Singapore and Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. The model is the same and we will place officers and staff there.

"Because there are these facilities, it can be a hub of communication between us, Sarawak and West Kalimantan," he said.

 

Bidayuh Cultural Centre to serve as a centre for preserving heritage of the community

BAU:. June 22 2026: Bidayuh Cultural Centre Bau (BCCB), costing RM9 million, will serve as a centre for preserving the cultural heritage of the Bidayuh community as well as a platform that strengthens unity and the spirit of togetherness among the local community.

Caption: The iconic Bidayah Cultural Centre Bau (BCCB) will open opportunities for the community ro meet

Premier Abang Johari Openg said the cultural centre provides a space for the community to gather, interact and carry out various activities that reflect the customs and traditions of the Bidayuh community in Bau.

“The existence of BCCB also opens up opportunities for the community to highlight their culture, talent and unique heritage to the younger generation and visitors.

"When we have a cultural centre, it becomes a space for the community to meet and hold cultural activities that reflect the customs and culture of the community in Bau, the majority of which is made up of the Bidayuh community.

"This is where they can highlight their culture, how they interact with each other and their talents," he said at the opening of the centre.

The premier added that the appreciation of shared culture and traditions can strengthen the relationship between communities thus fostering closer unity.

According to him, the spirit of unity instilled through cultural activities can serve as an example to other communities in efforts to preserve harmony and strengthen social relations.

The premier later handed over  a total of 1,316 land lots under Section 18 of the Sarawak Land Code were handed over to 1,142 recipients, involving the areas of Apar, Tabong, Segong, Tanjong Poting, Grogo, Sibuluh and Banan.

In addition, a total of 793 land lots in the SALCRA area were also handed over to 655 recipients involving the Jagoi OPE and Bratak OPE areas.

Abang  Johari also submitted the Native Communal Reserve Gazette for the Banan Area (Kampung Grogo/Sibuluh) with an area of 121 hectares and the Senggi-Poak Area, Jalan Batu Kawa, Tondong (Kampung Atas) with an area of 9.7 hectares.

Disputes between Petronas and Petros to be resolved, a final agreement will be reached soon, says PM Anwar

KUCHING, June 21 2026: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has expressed his confidence that disputes between Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) and Petrol Sarawak Berhad (Petros) will be resolved and that a final agreement will be reached in "the near future".

Caption: Premier Anwar Ibrahim says Petronas and Petros must work together as a team 

He said he has received reports that the progress of the discussions between the two oil companies is “very much positive”.

“We (the premier and I) have stressed that Petronas and Petros to concentrate towards working together and strengthening their cooperation, win-win situation and there is a huge opportunity and we want the issue to be resolved fairly, squarely and justly between the two partners as a team,” he said in his speech at the state-level Gawai Dayak celebration at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) tonight.

“If we work together and cooperate to resolve related issues, in a friendly manner, a lot can be achieved,” the premier stressed.

“We can discuss matters related to Petronas and Petros. We maintain with our views that have been agreed and signed by me and the premier that we respect the respective the rules and laws.

“We demand that Petronas and Petros have to work together and uplift the dignity of Sarawak and Malaysia.

“It can be done, it has been done and has to be done through common resolve, the potential is huge and Malaysia is known to be a peaceful country in the world.

“There is clarity in economic policies and we need to ensure that we succeed,” the premier said.

“Rest assure that we are part of your team and you are part of our team. We work together and we deliver  together,” he said, adding that he is pleased with the close cooperation between the federal and Sarawak governments.

Bintulu Port now officially a state port following a vest payment of RM1.8 billion to the federal government

KUCHING, June 21 2026:  Sarawak today officially took over Bintulu Port from federal government after the Sarawak government handed over a vesting payment of RM1.8 billion to the federal government.

Caption; Premier Abang Johari Openg symbolically handing over a mock cheque to Prime Minister Ibrahim (centre) in a historic ceremony

The payment marked the completion of the transfer of ownership, assets and responsibilities from the federal government to the state government,

Premier Abang Johari Openg handed over a cheque for the amount to Prime Ministeri Anwar Ibrahim following the signing of the Tripartite Agreement and Completion Agreement between the federal government, the Sarawak government and Bintulu Port Sdn Bhd at Menara Kidurong, today.

The Tripartite Agreement details the release of responsibilities, protection from claims or liabilities and management of existing obligations following the change in status of Bintulu Port, while the Completion Agreement forms the basis for the finalisation and orderly transfer of rights, assets, responsibilities and obligations in accordance with Section 12 of the Bintulu Port Authority (Dissolution) Act 2024.

The RM1.8 billion payment agreed by the federal government and the Sarawak government is the value of the vesting or transfer of ownership of the Bintulu Port Authority's land, property and assets to the Sarawak Government.

In his speech at the handing over ceremony, the prime minister said the successful completion of the acquisition proves the commitment of the federal and  Sarawak government in implementing matters enshrined in the Federal Constitution and the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“Today is a historic day because what we promised based on the Constitution and the spirit of MA63 can be fulfilled through understanding, trust and a strong working relationship between the Federal Government and the Sarawak Government,” Anwar said.

He said the transition process was achieved through mature and constructive negotiations without any pressure, thus becoming a model of cooperation between the state and federal governments in resolving issues of national interest.

He also described Sarawak as a new economic power that is increasingly emerging in the region through the development of the energy sector, high technology, green economy and competitive resource-based industries.

Abang Johari, in his speech, said the acquisition of Bintulu Port had historical significance because the port was originally under state jurisdiction before its management was taken over by the federal government to enable the development of the port project using loans guaranteed by the federal government.

“At that time, Sarawak needed financing of about RM400 million from the Asian Development Bank and the loan guarantee could only be provided by the federal government, hence both parties agreed that this port would be developed and managed by the federal government,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof, federal Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah were among those present at the handing over ceremony.

Sarawak looking at Austria's hydropower sector to strengthen its renewable energy agenda

VIENNA, June 21 2026:  Sarawak is looking at Austria’s hydropower sector to strengthen its renewable energy and sustainable development agenda, Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said,

Caption: Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan (centre) and members of the Sarawak delegation visiting Freudenau Hydropower Plant in Austria

Awang Tengah, who led a state delegation to Freudenau Hydropower Plant, was welcomed by head of Hydro Consulting of VERBUND Hydro Power GmbH,  Wilfried Reich, and representatives of the Freudenau Hydropower Plant.

He said the study tour was highly relevant to Sarawak’s development aspirations, particularly as the state continues to leverage its vast renewable energy resources in line with the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

He noted that Sarawak’s recognition by the World Bank as a high-income economy marked an important milestone, but emphasised that future growth must be supported by reliable infrastructure, cleaner energy use and improved quality of life for all communities.

“This visit to Freudenau Hydropower Plant is highly relevant to Sarawak because it demonstrates how hydropower infrastructure can support clean energy generation while being planned together with river management, urban development, environmental protection and public awareness,” he said.

He explained that the Freudenau project provides an important benchmark for the preparation of the Limbang Lawas Local Plan 2035, particularly in integrating land use planning with energy planning, river basin management, infrastructure readiness and environmental safeguards.

He added that the experience gained from Freudenau highlights the role of renewable energy in supporting low-carbon development, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and strengthening climate resilience while protecting water resources, biodiversity and environmentally sensitive areas.

“The knowledge gained from Freudenau Hydropower Plant will strengthen our approach to renewable energy planning, low-carbon development, climate resilience and sustainable regional planning,” he said, adding that the visit supports Sarawak’s aspiration to become a regional clean energy powerhouse and the “Green Battery of ASEAN”.