By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Feb 28: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has been honoured with the prestigious 2024 World Outstanding Muslim Leader of the Year Award in recognition of his visionary leadership and commitment to sustainable development.
The award was presented by KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal Rawther during the ASEAN Sarawak Business and Economic Forum 2025, held at a hotel here today.
The event also saw the presentation of Excellence Awards to nine distinguished individuals and organisations for their outstanding contributions to regional development, innovation, and sustainability.
Among the recipients were Sains chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, Exal Group (Malaysia) founder and director Albert Ko, KK Supermart founder and executive chairman Datuk Seri Dr Chai Kee Kan, and Konsortium Bumi Consultant and Services Sdn Bhd group managing drector and co-founder Dato Ir Janang Bungsu.
Jointly organised by the KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, Asean Economic Club, and Asean Business Club, the forum attracted over 200 business leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and stakeholders from across the Asean region.
Held under the theme “Collaborative Growth in Asean’s Evolving Economic Landscape,” the forum highlighted Sarawak’s strategic role in fostering regional cooperation and sustainable growth, particularly within the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
According to a media release, Asean’s growth and prosperity are significantly shaped by subregional cooperation initiatives such as BIMP-EAGA, the Greater Mekong Subregion, and the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT).
Within this landscape, Sarawak is emerging as a key epicenter of growth in BIMP-EAGA. Its political stability, visionary economic planning, strategic geographical location, and commitment to digital and green growth make it an attractive investment hub.
With a strong focus on green energy and hydrogen, Sarawak is poised to become a prime destination for sustainable investments. The Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint and the Post-Covid-19 Recovery Strategy (PCDS) 2030 further position Sarawak as a dynamic and viable hub for business and investment.
Notable attendees included Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific president and Asean Economic Club (AEC) chairman Tan Sri Michael Yeoh, and Asean Business Club (ABC) president and Institute for Capital Market Research Malaysia (ICMR) chairman Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid. — DayakDaily
