(Kuching, 22nd) Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar pointed out that since he took office as Finance Minister, this is the first time a state government did not request an allocation from the federal government, but instead handed him a multibillion ringgit cheque.
He mentioned that on Sunday (21st), the Sarawak government handed over an RM1.8 billion cheque to the federal government in Bintulu, demonstrating Sarawak’s strong governance capabilities and sound financial management.
He said: “Usually, when I visit other states as Finance Minister, everyone asks me for allocations. But today in Bintulu, for the first time in my career, instead of being asked for funds, Deputy Sarawak Premier Datuk Amar Douglas handed me a cheque for RM1.8 billion.
“This proves that as long as the country is managed properly, understands the rules of governance, and appoints responsible and capable leaders, results can be achieved. I salute Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari and his team.”
He made these remarks while attending the 2026 Sarawak State-level Dayak Harvest Festival Dinner at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Sunday night.
Anwar emphasized that after decades of development, Sarawak now has a mature institutional framework and professional technical capabilities, sufficient to independently manage major national-level logistics and strategic assets.
He said this mature operational capability effectively responds to the doubts and objections of some Peninsular Malaysian politicians about returning strategic assets to East Malaysian states, as stipulated by the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
He pointed out that although negotiations over the return of relevant rights and assets often face tremendous political pressure and criticism for making concessions to state governments, the Sarawak leadership has always adhered to principles in negotiations.
“I want to make it clear that during my administration, despite the complexity of negotiations, Sarawak has never issued any threats or ultimatums to the federal government.
“This is the true spirit of consultation, mature political culture, and a profound understanding of the Federal Constitution.”
On international affairs, Anwar said that it is precisely this spirit of consultation and consensus that has enabled Malaysia to achieve recent diplomatic breakthroughs, including his bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, successfully securing a 20-year continuous energy supply from Russia to meet the nation’s domestic needs and re-export purposes.
He said Malaysia’s increasing international reputation also contributed to the achievements during his recent visit to Turkmenistan. That country’s President, Serdar Berdimuhamedow, agreed to grant Malaysia the management rights of the 9th and 10th gas fields through PETRONAS, defeating many international energy giants.
Anwar further revealed that in a recent bilateral meeting in Tokyo with the Japanese Prime Minister, the latter, based on a high level of trust in Malaysia, also hoped to obtain a similar 20-year natural gas supply guarantee.
He said that in those discussions, he specifically emphasized his support for Sarawak’s development into a regional energy powerhouse.
“As long as we work together and solve various issues through consultation, our country will gain great benefits and advantages.”
He said: “Usually, when I visit other states as Finance Minister, everyone asks me for allocations. But today in Bintulu, for the first time in my career, instead of being asked for funds, Deputy Sarawak Premier Datuk Amar Douglas handed me a cheque for RM1.8 billion.
“This proves that as long as the country is managed properly, understands the rules of governance, and appoints responsible and capable leaders, results can be achieved. I salute Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari and his team.”
He made these remarks while attending the 2026 Sarawak State-level Dayak Harvest Festival Dinner at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Sunday night.
Anwar emphasized that after decades of development, Sarawak now has a mature institutional framework and professional technical capabilities, sufficient to independently manage major national-level logistics and strategic assets.
He said this mature operational capability effectively responds to the doubts and objections of some Peninsular Malaysian politicians about returning strategic assets to East Malaysian states, as stipulated by the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
He pointed out that although negotiations over the return of relevant rights and assets often face tremendous political pressure and criticism for making concessions to state governments, the Sarawak leadership has always adhered to principles in negotiations.
“I want to make it clear that during my administration, despite the complexity of negotiations, Sarawak has never issued any threats or ultimatums to the federal government.
“This is the true spirit of consultation, mature political culture, and a profound understanding of the Federal Constitution.”
On international affairs, Anwar said that it is precisely this spirit of consultation and consensus that has enabled Malaysia to achieve recent diplomatic breakthroughs, including his bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, successfully securing a 20-year continuous energy supply from Russia to meet the nation’s domestic needs and re-export purposes.
He said Malaysia’s increasing international reputation also contributed to the achievements during his recent visit to Turkmenistan. That country’s President, Serdar Berdimuhamedow, agreed to grant Malaysia the management rights of the 9th and 10th gas fields through PETRONAS, defeating many international energy giants.
Anwar further revealed that in a recent bilateral meeting in Tokyo with the Japanese Prime Minister, the latter, based on a high level of trust in Malaysia, also hoped to obtain a similar 20-year natural gas supply guarantee.
He said that in those discussions, he specifically emphasized his support for Sarawak’s development into a regional energy powerhouse.
“As long as we work together and solve various issues through consultation, our country will gain great benefits and advantages.”