SIBU: Unity among the component parties of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) remains the key foundation for the state’s political stability and economic development success.

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said GPS, which consists of Sarawak-based local parties, remains committed to defending the state’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) through continuous negotiations with the Federal Government.

“We do not want more and we do not want less. We only want what was agreed upon when Malaysia was formed,” he said.

He said this during the 2026 Triennial General Assembly (Election) of the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) here on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Sarawak Premier said the state’s strong economy has enabled the government to implement various people-centric policies, including free tertiary education for Sarawakian children.

He said the policy is open to all citizens regardless of race or religion, as long as they possess Sarawak identity status.

“Financial difficulties will no longer be an obstacle for Sarawakian children to pursue university education because the GPS government will provide assistance,” he said.

He added that the ability to implement such policies stems from Sarawak’s strong financial position, achieved through strategic and bold economic approaches.

According to him, the state government has also succeeded in increasing state revenue from around RM6 billion to RM14 billion through more effective management of natural resources, including in the oil and gas sector.

The Sarawak Premier also stressed that the state can no longer depend solely on a traditional economy, but must move towards a future economy driven by technology and green energy.

He said Sarawak has already begun its early transformation by introducing solar energy usage in rural areas through the Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (SARES) to replace diesel generators.

According to him, the initiative has proven effective in helping rural communities enjoy a more stable and affordable electricity supply.

In addition, he said Sarawak is now focusing on developing the hydrogen economy as a future energy source despite the technology still being costly at present.

However, he expressed confidence that hydrogen production costs will become lower in the future in line with global technological advancements.

Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari also added that the Sarawak Government has introduced space-related education at local higher learning institutions to produce more skilled workers in high-technology fields.

“The future depends on data, artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite technology. That is why we must prepare from now,” he said.

Further commenting, he said GPS will continue to champion the “Sarawak First” agenda by emphasising economic development, social balance and environmental sustainability.

He added that Sarawak is also prepared to seize new economic opportunities such as carbon trading and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technology, which are seen as having significant future potential.

He stressed that public unity and political stability remain the key factors to Sarawak’s success as a developed and competitive state within the ASEAN region.

“We want Sarawak not only to become the battery of ASEAN in terms of energy, but also the star of ASEAN in the future,” he said.

Also present were PDP President Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, leaders of GPS component parties and others. -UKASnews

Translator: Uilson Ng