JAKARTA – Regional collaboration must be elevated to further boost ASEAN’s economic resilience and competitiveness, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg says.
During his remarks at the Indonesia Economic Summit 2026 (IES 2026) in Jakarta, the Premier called on business councils and associations to go big and establish new partnerships as well as build on existing relationships. He emphasized that one cannot afford to be complacent amid fast-moving global economic shifts.
“Local business communities need to strengthen economic connectivity, expand trade and improve competitiveness. In order to grow and be globally competitive, ASEAN needs to transform itself into a more diversified, high-value-added, low-carbon industrial model,” he said in his keynote address.
ASEAN’s economic importance is now recognised by everyone, the Premier said, with its population of more than 670 million people and total GDP of USD3.8 trillion in 2023, making it the world’s fifth largest economy. He highlighted that ASEAN is currently at a crossroads as it is transforming itself into an industrial state.
Platforms like IES 2026 are important to deepen the relations between players in Borneo and across ASEAN, he said. “The current economic climate only makes this vision more relevant. The coming together of leaders and stakeholders is testament that the divide affects the whole Borneo family, cementing our shared destiny and strong sense of regional brotherhood,” he added.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the significance of confidence and solidarity in dealing with global uncertainties. “At a time of growing world competition and economic uncertainty, the importance of regional cooperation has never been greater. “These challenges underscore that it’s not just our domestic economies but also our collective commitment to being open and connected as trading partners within ASEAN,” he said.
Speaking to a press conference after his speech, the Premier said IES 2026 was an important dialogue platform for leaders and players to discuss solutions which can drive the new economy. “The summit also offers an ideal platform for cooperation, investment and innovation, all needed to raise living standards and promote regional development,” he added.
He also sated that Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto asked him to visit more often to enhance cooperation in the semiconductor industry. “Today, Airlangga Hartarto invited me to visit Indonesia more frequently because Sarawak is becoming the producer of latest technology generation of semiconductor,” he said.
The Premier ended his address by emphasising that the dialogue exchanged at the summit should be maintained, including between Malaysia which include Sarawak and Indonesia. “It illustrates that we all have a common understanding and an agreement to move forward toward the new economy,” he said.
