KUALA LUMPUR (July 27): Sarawak certainly had more good reasons to celebrate its 61st year of independence last Monday (July 22).

In conjunction with the celebration, the state saw the inauguration of a new methanol plant in Bintulu and the signing of gas sales agreements - the first after state-owned Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) became the sole gas aggregator, taking over from Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas).

A few days earlier, Sarawak had inked a memorandum of understanding with Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT), paving the way for it to eventually raise its stake in Affin Bank Bhd from the current 4.8%. It also recently took control of Bintulu Port.

The state's takeover of the role of gas aggregator from Petronas, in particular, is a coup. It signifies Sarawak’s reclamation of state rights under its laws.

In an exclusive interview with The Edge, Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg talks about the state’s progress towards autonomy and economic self-sufficiency.

He says Sarawak has achieved two of three goals it had set for itself more than two years ago - owning a financial institution (through its investment in Affin Bank) and taking control of Bintulu Port. Negotiations for the third goal - having an airline - are ongoing.

The state is also keen to build an international airport - modelled after the one in Doha - and a deep-sea port, and is targeting to start work on both developments by 2028.

“One [thing] at a time,” Abang Johari says with a laugh, when The Edge asks him what else he wants.

Throughout the hour-long interview in Kuala Lumpur, Abang Johari - flanked by his three deputies - speaks simply but passionately, and doesn’t pause for a beat as The Edge fires questions at him, ranging from the state’s big ambitions and major ongoing/upcoming projects to his views on the federal government.

Get the full story in this week’s issue of The Edge Malaysia weekly. 

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