Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg denies claims of replacing local oil and gas workers with foreign labour, calling them politically motivated.
MIRI: Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg has dismissed allegations that the state government intends to import foreign workers to replace locals in oil and gas projects managed by Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros).
Abang Johari, who is also the Chairman of the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), attributed the viral claims on social media to political motives, noting that the Sarawak State Election is fast approaching.
Speaking at the Majlis Makan Malam Bersama Komuniti Miri last night, the Premier addressed claims linking him to the recruitment of 1,000 Bangladeshi workers for the energy sector.
These allegations surfaced following his recent meeting with the Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia, Md. Manjurul Karim Khan, to discuss bilateral cooperation.
“My meeting with the High Commissioner was to discuss important issues regarding mutual cooperation, including possible recruitment.
“However, it is not true that I have agreed to recruit 1,000 Bangladeshi workers for Petros projects.
“The Sarawak Labour Department has not issued any such approval either,” Abang Johari said.
He reiterated that the state remains committed to the local workforce: “It is not true that we are using foreign workers to replace locals in Petros projects. These allegations are being circulated because our election is very near.”
While the oil and gas sector remains focused on local talent, other industries in Sarawak are grappling with a severe labour crisis.
According to the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS), the state and Bangladesh are exploring a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to address vacancies in the construction and plantation sectors.
Currently, Sarawak’s primary source of foreign labour is Indonesia, with workers largely employed in domestic roles, agriculture, and construction. However, significant gaps remain.
Last year, the Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Stephen Rundi Utom, warned that the state was losing millions in revenue every month due to a “severe shortage” of manual labour.
“Sarawak now has 1.62 million hectares of oil palm plantations and 85 processing mills statewide.
“Without enough workers, we cannot harvest or process adequately. Despite good market prices and plentiful fruit, the state is suffering enormous losses,” Rundi reportedly said.
