KUCHING: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed his gratitude towards Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for their support as he marked his first year leading the unity government on Tuesday (Nov 28). He attributed their support to ensuring political stability in the country and enabling him to steer the country back towards strengthening its economy and charting future progress.
Addressing the Global Muslim Business Forum (GMBF) gala dinner in Kuching on Tuesday night, Anwar acknowledged the vital role played by Premier Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari and GPS in maintaining the political stability of the country. He further expressed his gratitude in ensuring that the government had become more stable after a year, despite facing “minor turbulence” in the first few months of the formation of the unity government.
Anwar emphasized the importance of Malaysia’s political stability, stating that it had opened up discussions about energy transition, digital transformation, and economic vibrancy, owing to the government’s more than two-thirds majority in Parliament. Anwar also touched upon the relationship between Malaysia and its neighbor, Indonesia, which he described as fortunate to have as a Muslim-dominant republic and a collaborator rather than an aggressive competitor.
He called for the acceleration of the collaboration between Muslim countries, emphasizing the need to expedite the process to ensure prosperity and narrowing the development gap with other nations that have developed earlier. In line with Malaysia’s determination to lead the international halal market, Anwar highlighted its aim to achieve a halal export value of RM63 billion by 2025 as reflected in the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review.
According to Anwar, Muslim countries could collaborate to tap into the potential of the halal market, which is also acknowledged by Muslim-minority countries that he has visited in Asia and beyond.
Prior to Anwar’s speech, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari expressed the state’s intention to be a part of the global supply chain of Muslim economies, emphasizing their focus on providing halal products and services, as well as solutions to global challenges such as climate change and food security. He also highlighted Sarawak’s efforts to transform its economy to offer vast investment and business opportunities for the world.
Abang Johari stated that Sarawak’s focus is on shifting its economic activities towards a more circular economic model and energy transition. He also mentioned the launch of the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030 in October as a roadmap for sustainable development. With the Muslim world needing to adopt technology in pursuit of advancement, he urged leaders of the Muslim world to explore the uses of technology and become sustainable players.
Overall, the speeches by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari at the Global Muslim Business Forum (GMBF) gala dinner shed light on Malaysia’s commitment to political stability and economic progress, as well as Sarawak’s contributions to the global Muslim economy and sustainable development.
