By Antonia Chiam
“We are confident that investment in the island republic would give Sarawak’s economy a push as Singapore is a global trading hub. Statos will re-establish and enhance our historical trade with Singapore as we have been doing trade since the Rajah’s time.” Abang Johari (August 16, 2019)
IN today’s increasingly interconnected world, the prosperity and progress of any region are greatly tied to its ability to engage effectively on the international stage. Understanding this dynamic, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has taken a proactive approach to elevate Sarawak’s global presence.
A key component of this strategy has been the establishment of Sarawak trade and tourism offices (STTO) in carefully selected neighbouring countries, where the outposts will serve as crucial gateways for promoting Sarawak, reinforcing international partnerships, and attracting both investment and visitors to the State.
Direct Link to Singapore
The Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office in Singapore (Statos) which became operational in August 2019, was one of Sarawak’s first overseas ventures of its kind. As one of Asia’s key economic nodes, Singapore offers a natural springboard for Sarawak to reach international markets and position itself as a unique destination for trade, investment, and tourism.
Statos is regarded as one of the first tangible products of the “Sarawak First” policy to reassert the State’s autonomy and expand its economic sovereignty. Abang Johari’s vision for Statos was to create an effective platform for showcasing Sarawak’s products, culture, and tourism offerings, while simultaneously bolstering trade relations. On the trade front, the office acts as a conduit for Sarawakian businesses to access international markets, particularly in agriculture, manufacturing, natural resources, and digital technology. Collaborations facilitated by Statos have led to significant investments, contributing to job creation, economic diversification, and technological advancements within Sarawak.
With Sarawak boasting rich natural resources, in 2023, Statos facilitated total exports exceeding RM160 million, primarily comprising agricultural products such as bird’s nest, gula apong (palm sugar), highland rice, kek lapis (layer cake), and seafood. Additionally, it assisted 14 Sarawakian businesses through its Export Promotion Assistance Programme, with a total allocation of RM500,000, expanding local products in Singapore, amounting to RM23.34 million.
In a creative initiative to promote Sarawakian cuisine and culture, Statos established “hawker stall ambassadors” in Singapore. Launched in December 2019, Statos’s ‘Eat Chiak Makan—Kuching Food Trail’ campaign highlighted attractive Kuching eateries for the Singaporean market. Since then, the office has created ambassadors out of three hawker stall owners in Singapore to directly promote Sarawak’s travel values to Singaporeans who are seeking out new flavours.
This campaign led to a significant increase in patronage, with 5,000 additional stall visitors in August 2020 and a 30 per cent rise in sales for participating stalls in the subsequent months. The initiative not only boosted business outcomes but also sparked new interest in Sarawak as a travel destination among Singaporeans and expatriate customers.
Trade and Tourism in Brunei
Building upon the success of the Statos, Abang Johari inaugurated the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office in Brunei (Statob) on October 3, 2024. To him, the opening of the Brunei office marks a new era of learning, where Sarawakians and Bruneians can celebrate their “unique heritages” and “deepen their ties”.
Brunei has consistently been a significant contributor to Sarawak’s tourism sector. In August 2024, Sarawak recorded 198,331 visitors from Brunei, marking a substantial increase from 94,320 in August 2023. This surge underscores the importance of enhancing bilateral tourism initiatives, where Statob is expected to play a central role in sustaining this momentum through joint promotions, business events, and cultural exchanges, further boosting tourism between the two regions. Beyond tourism, Statob serves as a strategic platform to bolster collaborations in various sectors, including energy, agriculture, and trade. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan highlighted that Sarawak’s total trade with Brunei experienced a 23.8 per cent increase in 2023, reaching RM3.76 billion, reflecting the potential for deeper economic integration facilitated by Statob.
To further diversify this relationship, the Sarawak Biodiversity Council (SBC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Syarikat Asnika during Statob’s launch. This partnership aims to distribute products like LitSara®, NatureSara®, and AdenoSara® in Brunei, showcasing Sarawak’s commitment to sustainable development and the features prominently in Sarawak’s strategy to enhance connectivity with Brunei. Abang Johari announced a RM6 billion investment to construct a coastal highway linking Lawas and Limbang, aiming for completion by 2030. Once complete, this corridor will enhance cross-border movement, stimulate commerce, and support deeper regional integration.
Eyes on Southeast Asia and Beyond
With the successes of the STTOs in Singapore and Brunei, Sarawak has also laid the groundwork for a STTO in Kalimantan, Indonesia. While its progress was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Kalimantan office remains a strategic priority, particularly given Indonesia’s relocation of its national capital to Nusantara in East Kalimantan—just 500 kilometres from Kuching. Kalimantan shares a border, economic interests, and cultural ties with Sarawak, making it a logical next step in Abang Johari’s regional outreach. The office is envisioned as a platform to deepen engagement in natural resources, infrastructure, tourism, and sustainable development.
Meanwhile, Sarawak is setting its sights further afield. During a working visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in November 2024, Premier Abang Johari announced plans to open a STTO in Abu Dhabi. Unlike its Southeast Asian counterparts, the Abu Dhabi office is expected to be managed by Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) and Sarawak Energy Berhad (Sarawak Energy).
The initiative aims to foster closer cooperation with Middle Eastern countries and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), particularly in areas such as renewable energy and technology sharing. Together, these overseas offices reflect Sarawak’s maturing global outlook, balancing economic ambition with cultural pride, and autonomy with international collaboration. By placing Sarawakian representatives directly in regional and global markets, Abang Johari’s administration is not only diversifying the State’s economy but also futureproofing it against the uncertainties of an ever-changing global order. The strategy affirms a single, overarching principle: that Sarawak must lead its own development journey, guided by a clear vision, rooted in its identity, and connected to the world.
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.
