BY NATASHA JEE & ALEXANDRA LORNA
KUCHING: Sarawak has recorded the highest revenue collection for the year 2023 at RM13.3 billion.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said this showed that Sarawak continued to demonstrate resilience, innovation, and a collective commitment to progress.
“At first in November, I was mentioning RM12.7 billion (revenue), but come December, some more money (was) coming from our dividend. So it (adding up) becomes RM13.3 billion.
“Our businesses and entrepreneurs demonstrated their resilience and agility, finding new paths for growth in this challenging landscape.
“This is a testament to the ability of Sarawak and her people to emerge ever stronger in the face of economic challenges,” he said.
He said this when delivering his speech at Majlis Amanat Perdana 2024 for Sarawak Civil Service at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) yesterday.
In November last year, Abang Johari said Sarawak is projected to collect a revenue of RM12.7 billion for the year 2023.
On December 25 last year, Abang Johari announced that Sarawak recorded a revenue of RM13.1 billion, which surpassed the RM12.7 billion estimated revenue.
Later, when speaking to reporters, Abang Johari said 2023 ended with a revenue of RM13.3 billion for the state.
“In December, we have some more dividends coming in. So, when you add RM12.7 billion plus the dividend, the total becomes RM13.3 billion. The dividend is from our investment… additional revenue,” he said.
As for this year, Abang Johari is optimistic that Sarawak will be having more revenue.
“Now it is still early (to predict), but you just pray,” said Abang Johari when asked about the state’s projected revenue for this year.
