KUCHING: The year 2026 is described as a defining year for the delivery of development policies and implementation in Sarawak, as the state moves from the preparation phase to the performance phase.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said Sarawak has laid a solid foundation which covered strategies, establishment of institutions and comprehensive financing mechanisms over the past few years to support the state's long-term development.

"In 2026, these foundations must be translated into visible and tangible outcomes where projects that are ready to be implemented must be mobilised decisively and promptly.

"Constraints arising from overlapping processes, excessive risk aversion or unclear authorities must be resolved swiftly," he said.

He said this when speaking at the Amanat Perdana Premier Sarawak 2026 event, themed ‘9 Tahun Gemilang’ held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), on Tuesday.

The Sarawak Premier added that coordination must be translated into action with data, digital tools and real-time monitoring being leveraged to enable the transition from discussion to decision and subsequently, from decision to delivery.

He explained that inter-agency platforms must produce clear timelines and tangible outcomes, with issues being escalated immediately when progress begins to slow.

Furthermore, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari said that accountability for outcomes must be clearly stated with each major initiative under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) having an identified owner who is fully responsible for delivery.

"Accountability begins with leadership where at every level, performance in this phase will be measured based on what is actually implemented on the ground, not just announced plans or expressed intentions," he stressed.

Also present were daughter of Sarawak Premier Dayang Norjihan, Sarawak Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Sarawak and Federal Ministers, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak and Federal Deputy Ministers, heads of departments and other dignitaries. -UKASnews

Reporter: Ahmad Daniel Faiz
Photographer: Muhammad Rais Sanusi
Translator: Nerissa Sia