KUCHING, Aug 12, 2026 — Delays, wastage and poor workmanship in government projects must be treated as integrity issues because the impact is ultimately borne by the people, said Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg.
He said a government project should not be considered successful simply because it had been completed or its allocated funds had been fully spent.
Instead, he said the real success of a project must be measured by its safety, quality, relevance to the needs of the people and the benefits delivered in return for public spending.
“A project is only truly successful when it is safe to use, of good quality, meets the needs of the people and provides benefits that are in line with public expenditure.
“Unreasonable delays, wastage, poor workmanship or negligence in monitoring are integrity issues because the people ultimately bear the consequences,” he said.
Abang Johari made the remarks while delivering his keynote address at the Amanat Perdana Integriti in conjunction with the Sarawak Integrity Day 2026 celebration at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here on Wednesday.
He stressed that all ministries, departments and agencies must ensure government procurement processes are carried out transparently, competitively and based on the principle of value for money.
According to him, government projects must also be monitored comprehensively from the planning stage until completion and handover.
This, he said, was necessary to ensure that project costs remain under control, construction is completed according to schedule, specifications are followed and the required quality standards are achieved.
Abang Johari said strong project management and integrity were particularly important in ensuring that the aspirations of the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) could be translated into development that delivers real benefits to Sarawakians.
He stressed that PCDS 2030 was not merely about building more roads, bridges, schools and public facilities.
“It requires us to ensure that every plan is based on the actual needs of the people, every ringgit is spent wisely and every benefit reaches the intended groups,” he said.
The Premier also warned that good policies would have little meaning if their implementation was weak, delayed, wasteful or misused.
He said government agencies must therefore strengthen coordination and cooperation in implementing development projects and programmes.
Such cooperation should include local authorities, statutory bodies, government-linked companies and the private sector, he added.
Abang Johari said all parties must work together as one team, placing the interests of Sarawak and its people above the interests of their respective organisations.
He said stronger cooperation would allow the state’s development plans to be implemented more effectively and ensure that government initiatives produced meaningful results for the people.
“When everyone moves in the same direction, the government’s vision can be translated into changes that are truly felt by the people,” he said.
The Premier’s remarks underline the importance of accountability in the management of public funds, particularly as Sarawak continues to implement major infrastructure and development projects under PCDS 2030.
For the people, the message is clear: completing a project is only part of the responsibility. Government projects must also be delivered on time, within budget, according to specifications and at a standard that provides lasting value to the public.
