By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, July 19: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has hit out at online attempts to fabricate conflict between him and Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, blaming jealousy over Sarawak’s rising economic success for fuelling such baseless narratives.
“Recently, there was an attempt to pit Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) leaders against each other through the internet, claiming ‘Awang Tengah and Abang Jo were fighting’. Poor Awang Tengah, people are trying to create a rift between us.
“That’s why I say jealousy really exists, because we are developing well and our economy is doing well,” he said when officiating at the opening of the Batang Saribas 1 Bridge and the launch of the Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA) in Betong, which was broadcast live by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) via Facebook today.
Abang Johari highlighted Sarawak’s growing global recognition in the green energy sector, particularly in hydrogen development, which has placed the State on the world stage.
“I was invited overseas to speak about hydrogen. Last week, I was in Japan. In January 2026, they have asked me to attend Davos to speak about the world economy. The global stage, not just Betong,” he said.
He also revealed that the World Economic Forum (WEF), which monitors global economic development, has officially recognised Sarawak in Malaysia as a new industrial cluster powered by green energy.
“No other state is producing hydrogen—only us. And now we are processing our electricity so that we can use part of it and sell the rest. That generates income. With that income, we can pay university fees,” he explained.
Abang Johari stressed that Sarawak’s economic direction is guided by rational policies and the rule of law, and asserted that no one can drive a wedge within Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) as long as he is at the helm.
“As long as I’m in GPS, we won’t be divided. Our priority is the people of Sarawak. As the late Tok Nan (former Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem) used to say, don’t just sit and watch.
“When it comes to oil and gas, I don’t compromise. That’s Sarawak’s right. Taking others’ rights is sinful, don’t you know?” he remarked.
Abang Johari concluded by assuring that Sarawak’s development will continue to progress as long as the government remains committed to the legal path and to protecting the State’s interests.
On July 17, an online news portal reported that a quiet leadership contest was said to be brewing in Sarawak, with factions aligned with Premier Abang Johari as PBB president and Deputy Premier Awang Tengah as deputy president allegedly positioning themselves ahead of a potential power struggle that could shape the State’s future direction.
The report also speculated that the purported rivalry centred on the Sarawak premiership.
However, on the same day, PBB Information Chief Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah refuted the claims, describing such talk as baseless and unreflective of the situation within the party.
He said that unlike in other political environments, Sarawak’s political culture—particularly within PBB—upholds the tradition of supporting the top leadership until the appropriate time for transition.
“All these speculations, all these rumours, I believe, are just rumours from those who have other motives—mahu jolok sana, jolok sini (trying to poke here and there),” he said. — DayakDaily
