Biography
Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Abang Openg (born 4 August 1950 in Limbang), known as Abang Johari, has been Premier of Sarawak since January 2017. He is president of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and chairman of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition, and sits in the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly for Gedong. He is the youngest of ten children of Abang Openg Abang Sapiee, who was the first Yang di-Pertua Negeri — head of state — of Sarawak. He was educated at Merpati Jepang Primary School, St Thomas' and St Joseph's in Kuching, and took a master's degree in business management at Brunel University in London. Abang Johari's political career began with Sarawak's youth movements in the 1970s; he was appointed PBB youth chief in 1977 and won the Satok state seat at a by-election in 1981, holding it for forty years before moving to Gedong in 2021. He held a succession of state ministerial portfolios, including housing and tourism, before succeeding Adenan Satem as chief minister in January 2017 — a title later redefined as premier. He has been the central figure in Sarawak's assertion of greater autonomy within the federation. GPS broke away from Barisan Nasional in 2018, and under his chairmanship the coalition won a supermajority of 76 of 82 seats at the 2021 state election. After the 2022 federal election left no party with a majority, GPS's bloc of MPs was decisive in forming Anwar Ibrahim's unity government. His administration has emphasised state control over resources and revenue, renewable energy and hydrogen, and the expansion of Sarawak's own health and education provision. His wife, Juma'ani Tuanku Bujang, died in June 2025.
Constituencies (1)
Electoral track record
| Year | Party | Votes | % | Majority | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | GPS | 4,310 | 81.88% | — | Won |
| 2018 | GPS ( PBB ) | — | — | — | Won |
| 2016 | BN | 6,854 | 79.12% | — | Won |
| 2011 | BN | 4,691 | 71.27% | — | Won |
| 2006 | BN | 4,222 | 74.78% | — | Won |
| 2001 | BN | 4,830 | 71.02% | — | Won |
| 1996-SARAWAK | PBB | 6,628 | — | — | Won |
| 1996 | BN | 6,628 | 89.13% | — | Won |
| 1991-SARAWAK | PBB | 5,550 | — | — | Won |
| 1991 | BN | 5,550 | 84.37% | — | Won |
| 1987 | BN | 9,760 | 69.62% | — | Won |
| 1983 | BN | 10,234 | 86.20% | — | Won |
| 1981 | BN ( PBB ) | — | — | — | Won |
Connections (46)
Explore networkNews sentiment over time
567 mentions across 15 months
News mentions
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Sarawak must strive for first-class development to compete globally, says Abang Johari - Borneo Post
Why you’re seeing this: Mentions Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Abang Openg
Lima tahun mendatang tempoh peralihan penting ekonomi Sarawak - Abang Johari - Astro Awani
Why you’re seeing this: Mentions Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Abang Openg
‘We believe in democracy’: Premier backs Speaker as DUS disciplinary actions spark controversy - DayakDaily
Why you’re seeing this: Mentions Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Abang Openg
Next five years crucial transition period for Sarawak’s economy - The Edge Malaysia
Why you’re seeing this: Mentions Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Abang Openg
Sarawak announces two months’ salary aid for state civil servants, RM700 for federal staff - Malay Mail
Why you’re seeing this: Mentions Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Abang Openg
Showing the 5 most recent of 20 tracked mentions.