Autonomy can help Sarawak turn stability into growth, says business leader

 Philip Ting says greater control over funding, education and development will help Sarawak achieve its long-term ambitions.

A Sarawakian business leader said Kuching’s push for autonomy should be viewed as a practical tool for development, rather than a point of friction with Putrajaya. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR:

Greater autonomy will allow Sarawak to convert its political stability, education policies and social cohesion into stronger economic growth, says a business leader.

Sarawak Chamber of Commerce & Industry deputy president Philip Ting said the state needs greater control over key areas such as funding, education, healthcare and energy to realise its development goals.

“Autonomy is very much part of those ambitions because Sarawak feels it needs to be able to control its own financial destiny.

“Without that kind of autonomy, they will never be able to push funding, or control language and university education,” he said at the Affin Market Outlook Conference 2026.

He said Sarawak’s education system, particularly its long-standing emphasis on English, had helped position the state for a more outward-looking economy, citing the presence of Swinburne University in Kuching and Curtin University in Miri.

“English is still the lingua franca of science, technology and commerce. So we need to have control over our language policy.”

Ting added that one of Sarawak’s key advantages was political stability, noting that Gabungan Parti Sarawak holds 80 of the 82 seats in the state assembly, and is expected to seek an even stronger mandate in the next state election.

He also said the state benefits from what he described as relatively low levels of corruption at the top, which helps create a more predictable environment for business and development.

Ting said Sarawak’s social cohesion was another major strength, with people placing greater emphasis on a shared Sarawakian identity than on race or religion.

“Sarawakians don’t see themselves as Malay, Iban or Chinese. They see themselves as Sarawakian first. That social cohesion… is a big deal,” he said.

He added that Sarawak’s push for autonomy should be viewed as a practical tool for development rather than a point of friction with Putrajaya, as the state builds on existing foundations.

Meanwhile, Qhazanah Sabah Bhd CEO Damshal Awang Damit said Sabah and Sarawak should no longer be seen as peripheral states in Malaysia’s growth story.

“We historically view Sabah and Sarawak as being far from Kuala Lumpur. Now we should view Sabah and Sarawak as closer to the centre of Asean or East Asian economic growth.”

Damshal said both states have strong natural resources, biodiversity, renewable energy potential and maritime advantages, but require stronger execution, coordination and ambition to unlock their full potential. - FMT