By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 8: Affin Bank’s growing regional profile—which includes the international credit rating of ‘A3’ from Moody’s Ratings and its inclusion in the Fortune Southeast Asia 500 for the second consecutive year—shows that market confidence in Affin has strengthened, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said the Sarawak government’s investment in Affin represents a long-term strategic move to build financial synergy and strengthen a sustainable financing ecosystem to support the state’s development agenda and economic growth.
Further elaborating, he said that the recognition underscores Affin’s increasing relevance in a competitive regional environment and enhances its ability to deliver better services, support productive sectors and expand access to responsible financing.
“This recognition reflects a high level of confidence in Affin and opens the door to more competitive financing, reinforcing its role in supporting the economy and driving future growth,” he said in a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) report.
He said this during Affin’s 50th anniversary gala dinner and Chinese New Year dinner held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITC) in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (Feb 7).
The Premier said that Sarawak took a decisive step in 2024 by becoming AFFIN’s single largest shareholder—a first-of-its-kind initiative in Malaysia that was never intended to be symbolic.
Instead, he said, the move was aimed at creating a stronger financial platform through collaboration with a robust and capable banking institution, in line with Sarawak’s efforts to unlock its economic potential.
“Development is not just about aspirations. It requires reliable financing capability, timely access to capital, clear decision-making and resilient implementation under all circumstances,” he said.
Abang Johari said Sarawak’s development agenda is underpinned by a broad spectrum of financing mechanisms rather than reliance on a single funding source.
In this context, he said Affin is well positioned to play a meaningful role in financing initiatives that strengthen real economic capacity and support sustainable long-term growth, in tandem with Sarawak’s Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030.
Also present were Minister of Finance II Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Johari Abdul, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Affin Bank Berhad chairman Dato’ Agil Natt, Affin Bank Berhad president and group chief executive officer Datuk Wan Razly Abdullah, Sarawak Financial Secretary Dato’ Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, and Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Planning and Economic Development) Dato’ Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel. — DayakDaily
