Political Journey of Abang Johari, Premier of Sarawak

Political Journey of Abang Johari, Premier of Sarawak

 delving into the intricacies of YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg’s forty-years odyssey and unveils the entirety of his remarkable journey through the labyrinth of Sarawakian politics. On 13th January 2017, Abang Johari Tun Openg, affectionately known as Abang Jo, ascended to the role of the sixth Chief Minister of Sarawak, a poignant moment amid the mourning for the recently departed Tan Sri Adenan Satem. With a political legacy spanning 36 years, Abang Jo’s journey began in 1981 when he clinched the Satok State Legislative Assembly seat. He carried forward the mantle of his father, Tun Abang Haji Openg, Sarawak’s inaugural State Governor post-independence in 1963, and his father-in-law, Tuanku Bujang Tuanku Othman, the second governor of Sarawak. Born into prominence, Abang Johari’s ascent was anything but easy, navigating a political landscape fraught with conflicts and familial rifts, notably the discord between Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’kub and his nephew Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud. Surviving the tumultuous ‘Ming Court’ episode, Abang Jo’s political trajectory demanded patience, composure, and strategic waiting for opportune moments, ultimately culminating in his elevation to the pinnacle of Sarawak’s political hierarchy.