Sarawak Premier: Merit, Not Gender, Should Determine Leadership

Sarawak Premier Advocates Meritocracy Over Gender in Leadership Roles Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, the Premier of Sarawak, Malaysia, recently made a powerful statement on the importance of meritocracy in leadership positions. Speaking at the ASEAN Women Economic Summit 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, he emphasized that opportunities and responsibilities should be awarded based on merit, not influenced by gender. "Opportunities and responsibilities given to individuals must be implemented based on merit and not influenced by gender factors," said Abang Johari. While acknowledging the existing skepticism within communities regarding women in leadership roles, he stressed that this bias needs to be addressed to build an inclusive and competitive society. The Premier's remarks highlight a growing global conversation about gender equality in leadership and the importance of creating fair and equitable opportunities for all. The video footage from the summit shows Abang Johari engaging in a discussion where he further elaborates on his views. His comments underscore a commitment to modernizing societal perspectives and creating a level playing field for all individuals, regardless of gender. The event also showcased the Premier's vision for Sarawak's future, highlighting the state's potential to implement similar initiatives aimed at supporting women and leveraging technology to address challenges.