The Borneo Post reported Abang Johari as saying that the state’s economy had been gradually growing over the past five years, highlighting the RM13.1 billion in state revenue achieved in 2023, in contrast with RM11.9 billion in 2022.

“There may be more major entities that we will take over in 2024. Let me announce them when we have taken control of them and pray that our revenue will continue to increase,” he said.

It was reported last year that the entities Sarawak is working on taking over are MASWings Sdn Bhd, through state-owned Hornbill Skyways Sdn Bhd, and Bintulu Port. Both takeovers are expected to be completed this year.

Abang Johari thanked the unity government for restoring various rights to the state, as outlined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

He also said the state intended to introduce its own school assessments, citing the inconsistency in federal education policies, particularly the abolition of the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR, for Year Six pupils) and Form Three Assessment (PT3) examinations.

Stressing the importance of aligning state education policies with his vision for Sarawak to become the country’s most developed state by 2030, Abang Johari highlighted several initiatives aimed at ensuring the people experience the spillover benefits of rapid economic growth.

These include free laptops, aid to repay National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans, free book vouchers, a RM1,000 endowment fund for newborns, and free tertiary education at state universities from 2026.

“Some parties are questioning whether we can sustain the free provision of tertiary education. I can assure you that we can sustain it as long as Sarawakians are united behind us,” he said.

Last year, Abang Johari had also announced that Sarawak will encourage students to master English and Mandarin for the state to to become a global player in many fields.

That is why Sarawak uses English alongside Bahasa Malaysia as official languages, he added.