By Lian Cheng
“We will protect the interest of all Sarawakians, regardless of the size of the community in an inclusive manner. This aspect is indeed not only our pride but also our joy as Sarawakians. Hence, the decision was made in the interest of the people and the State above all else. We are confident that this is the most pragmatic and appropriate decision to bring Sarawak into the new era as desired by the people of Sarawak.” Abang Johari (June 12, 2018)
THE political upheaval in 2018 will forever be etched in Malaysian history: an electoral wave that dismantled a 61-year hold on federal power by Barisan Nasional (BN). It was a seismic event that reverberated across the country, leading to the reshaping of the political scene. Since Sarawak joined Malaya to form the Federation of Malaysia with Sabah and Singapore in 1963, sealed through the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Inter-Governmental Committee Report, it had always been part of the federal ruling coalition.
The collapse of BN placed Sarawak at a political crossroads. For the first time since Malaysia’s formation, the State found itself facing an urgent and unprecedented dilemma. With Pakatan Harapan (PH) taking control of Putrajaya, the question loomed—should Sarawak remain aligned under the increasingly unpopular BN or join the new ruling coalition of PH. The responsibility of navigating this turning point fell onto Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Barely a year into his tenure as Chief Minister and chairman of Sarawak BN, he was entrusted to make a difficult but necessary decision.
The State’s four component parties: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) found themselves adrift in unfamiliar waters. It was within this uncertain climate that Abang Johari made his move—in a decision that no one anticipated—he proposed that Sarawak BN withdraw from the national coalition. Abang Johari’s call to step away from BN after the 2018 General Elections signalled a desire to reassert Sarawak’s autonomy within the Federation and forge a political direction led not by Peninsula-based coalitions, but by Sarawakians themselves.
Decades of Frustration
Beneath the calm veneer of Sarawak’s political stability laid a deep-seated frustration, one that had been simmering quietly with the persistent feeling of being on unequal footing within the federal administration of Malaysia. Though bound to the Federation by the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), and long aligned with the federal ruling coalition, Sarawak’s position within Malaysia was never quite equal, and consistently relegated to a subservient and subordinate role to Putrajaya.
Sarawak BN often found itself sidelined by the political machinery of Peninsular Malaysia. While the State held strategic value, its influence within the BN coalition was eclipsed by the dominance of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). This inequality endured despite Sarawak’s status as a signatory to MA63, a foundational agreement that recognised Sarawak, alongside Sabah and Malaya, as an equal partner in the formation of Malaysia. Over time, the State’s status was arbitrarily demoted, in which Sarawak was no longer an equal partner, but one of the 13 states, a stark departure from the promises enshrined in the MA63.
Across six decades, Sarawakians witnessed the gradual erosion of Sarawak’s rights—its powers trimmed, rights eroded, and its vast natural resources, particularly oil and gas, taken advantage of to fuel the economic engine of Peninsular Malaysia. The wealth of the land flowed westwards across the sea, yet much of the State remained underdeveloped, its infrastructure lagging, and its people underserved. The very agreement that once promised partnership had, in the eyes of many Sarawakians, been breached repeatedly.
Decades of exploitation and short-changing, breach of MA63 and political tactics to undermine Sarawak’s status within Malaysia have resulted in Sarawak becoming one of the poorest ‘state’ in Malaysia. That all changed when the Fifth Chief Minister, the late Tun Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, took the helm of Sarawak on February 28, 2014. From the outset, he demanded the return of Sarawak’s derogated rights, those that had been stripped away or left unfulfilled. His move instilled a renewed sense of patriotism and pride among Sarawakians, earning widespread support as he fearlessly highlighted the long-standing grievances faced by the State and its people.
The fight to restore Sarawak’s lost rights had since become the narrative that united Sarawakians, contributing to one of the major factors to Adenan’s landslide win in the 2016 Sarawak Election by securing 72 out of 82 seats, following the return of substantial Chinese majority seats and the strengthening of Dayak seats.
Thrusting into Tumultuous Times
Against this backdrop, Abang Johari succeeded Adenan following the latter’s passing on January 11, 2017. Abang Johari was sworn in as the Sixth Chief Minister of Sarawak on January 13, 2017, and his succession was shadowed by doubts and criticisms. Adenan had not only governed with intellect and conviction—he had captivated the people. His boldness in asserting Sarawak’s rights and his deep empathy for ordinary Sarawakians had made him a popular leader. Filling the shoes of a beloved figure like Adenan was no small task, but Abang Johari rose to the challenge, determined to prove his mettle and continue the legacy of fighting for Sarawak’s rights.
Barely a year into his tenure, the nation stood on the brink of political upheaval. The 14th General Election, called in May 2018, became an unforeseen referendum not only on BN’s decades-long rule, but on Abang Johari’s capacity to lead in turbulent times. As Chief Minister and chairman of Sarawak BN, he led the charge for Sarawak’s 31 parliamentary seats. While rumours ran rampant that the BN government would topple and fall, and that the writing on the wall were clear, there was still much confidence that the strength of UMNO would withstand the rot from within, despite international scandals, national aspersions, and widespread accusations.
Still, few imagined the colossus would fall. BN, buttressed by the advantage of being the caretaker government, seemed too huge to be toppled. It had resources, reach, and time-tested influence. BN might fall—but not this time. Yet, it did. The cracks ran deeper than many had believed. In a night that would alter Malaysian history, the opposition coalition secured a narrow victory. The political landscape convulsed. Due to the slim majority, horse-trading began almost immediately alongside the volatile political climate. Talks of party-hopping filled the air, with the balance of power hanging at the edge.
It was during this moment, Sarawak stood apart. Under Abang Johari, Sarawak BN had retained 19 of its 31 seats, emerging as a critical power block. With no single coalition commanding a clear majority, all eyes turned to Sarawak. United in purpose and unshaken by the turmoil in the peninsula, Sarawak’s elected representatives held their ground. They moved as one and in doing so became kingmakers in the truest sense. Being the kingmaker, Sarawak under Abang Johari needed to make the right decision to ensure a bright future.
An Unprecedented Wise Decision
In the immediate aftermath of the 2018 General Election, key political figures swiftly manoeuvred their pieces on the board, with closed-door negotiations held and attractive promises made to entice Sarawak BN to join the PH coalition to secure the latter’s position. The burden of decision now rested squarely on the shoulders of Abang Johari. It was not merely a question of political alignment, but of Sarawak’s long-term future within a changing federation. He had to consider Sarawak’s historic association with BN, the long-standing rivalry between Sarawak’s ruling coalition and the Democratic Action Party (DAP)—a key component of PH—and the implications of joining a newly formed federal administration whose direction seemed uncertain.
The decision that came was unexpected. Abang Johari rejected both conventional and predictable paths that were laid before him. He declined to remain with BN and sit in opposition, and just as firmly, chose not to join the new ruling coalition. Instead, on June 12, 2018, just a month after the General Elections on May 9, he announced a seismic political shift: the departure of all four Sarawak component parties from BN and the formation of a new, independent coalition, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
GPS, he declared, would be a Sarawak-based pact, rooted in the State’s own terms, unbound by any coalitions. At the same time, it would “collaborate and cooperate” with the PH government to help maintain national political stability. The announcement marked a turning point. No longer tethered to BN, Sarawak had opened a new chapter. On July 15, 2018, Abang Johari affirmed the move was not only correct but timely. He described the decision as a “blessing in disguise”, remarking that Sarawak had at last emerged from the shadows of a political structure that he called “oppressive in a certain way”.
He explained that during Sarawak’s time under BN, State leaders had no choice but to abide by federal directives, with little room to assert their own position. With GPS now steering its own course, Sarawak could finally advocate for its rights without needing to consult or defer to a larger federal alliance. The power to decide now lay firmly in the hands of Sarawakians.
“When we were still under BN, the former ruling coalition, we must obey what they said. There was no freedom to bring up issues or go against something that we did not agree with in Parliament. However, the situation is different now. This is sort of a blessing in disguise too, because we can now speak out on any issues. Who else will know Sarawak better other than us, Sarawakians?” Abang Johari said at the e-DOK Raya gathering on July 15, 2018.
GPS Takes Flight
Out of the ashes of adversity, GPS spreads its wings—ready to soar into a new era of transformation and resurgence. On August 23, 2018, GPS was officially registered. By November 19, it was fully legalised by the Registrar of Societies. The move to establish an independent Sarawak-based coalition was as bold as it was strategic. In hindsight, it marked a crucial realignment in Sarawak’s political journey. Abang Johari described the departure from BN and the establishment of GPS as a turning point: one that placed Sarawak on equal footing with Putrajaya, where the former could now assert itself as a partner rather than a subordinate, in accordance with the MA63 and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report.
This shift enabled Sarawak to ramp up efforts to reclaim its eroded rights. Between 2018 and 2024, the State recorded notable advances, most significantly the successful implementation of a five per cent State Sales Tax (SST) on petroleum and petroleum products. This milestone led to a significant increase in revenue, with funds directed towards improving basic infrastructure for its people. The decision to exit BN and form GPS is by far Abang Johari’s most significant political achievement to date. His moderate, people-centric approach and rational leadership not only helped stabilise the national political landscape but also allowed Sarawak to pursue its own autonomy and prosperity.
In the years that followed, Abang Johari rolled out more than 100 initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Sarawakians. His bold policies in green and renewable energy, particularly in hydrogen and carbon storage, gained international attention, with foreign leaders and multinational corporations coming in droves to explore sustainable development and green energy investment opportunities in Sarawak. By July 2023, Sarawak reached a new milestone when the World Bank officially recognised it as a high-income State, with a gross national income per capita of USD 13,845, surpassing the threshold of USD13,205.
Not Too Big a Shoe to Fill
Public perception of Abang Johari gradually transformed. What began as scepticism gave way to admiration. Over time, it became clear that Adenan’s shoes were no longer too large for Abang Johari to fill. His steady leadership and inclusive governance won over many Sarawakians. Acceptance grew steadily, and so did his stature as a pragmatic and visionary leader. This growing confidence was reflected in the return of Chinese voter support to the ruling coalition, culminating in GPS’s sweeping victory in the 2021 Sarawak Election.
Four years after assuming the helm, Abang Johari led GPS to win 76 out of 82 seats, surpassing the 72-seat milestone achieved by the late Adenan Satem in 2016. This remarkable achievement, backed by his forward-thinking policies and strategies, underscored Abang Johari’s growing influence and the trust Sarawakians placed in his leadership.
The content featured here is an excerpt from the book “Rise of Sarawak: Abang Johari’s Era of Transformation”, published by Sage Salute Sdn Bhd. All information contained herein is accurate as of the first quarter of 2025.
