“Investors and businesses want clarity, consistency and certainty in dealing with the government, including clear processes, consistent decisions and efficient management.

“The greater our responsibility, the higher the standard of integrity and accountability expected from us,” he said in his speech at the launching ceremony of the State Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (Mintred) Organisational Anti-Corruption Strategy (OACS) 2030 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).

Awang Tengah, also Mintred minister, said it was not enough for the government to achieve its targets but it must ensure they are achieved professionally, transparently and responsibly.

He said Sarawak had recorded more than RM116 billion in approved investments from 2021 to 2025, with most of the investments already realised.

In 2025 alone, Sarawak recorded RM16.3 billion in investment, creating more than 6,500 job opportunities, with 313 projects approved, he added.

Awang Tengah said the achievements brought greater responsibility to the ministry and its agencies, as the value of investments and decisions increased.

 

He cautioned that Sarawak’s resources and investment opportunities would not be sufficient if sound management and integrity were lacking.

“If we do not carry out our responsibilities with integrity, various obstacles, deliberately or unintentionally, may be faced by investors. If this happens, our efforts to attract investment will not succeed.This is a breach of confidence,” he said.

Awang Tengah said investors would assess not only the investment opportunities available but also the clarity of the framework, how policies were implemented and how efficiently investments could be facilitated.

 

He said entrepreneurs, meanwhile, wanted fair opportunities and assistance based on merit, while public funds had to be managed responsibly.

Touching on OACS, he said its effectiveness should not be measured by the document itself but by how it was implemented.

“OACS should result in clearer processes, greater transparency, faster delivery and a stronger economy, rather than becoming another document merely to fulfil administrative requirements.

 

“Integrity should move hand in hand with innovation and should not become an excuse for unnecessary bureaucracy. A good system needs proper controls, but at the same time it must be easy, responsive and efficient,” he said.

He called for greater use of technology, digitalisation and process improvements to reduce bureaucracy, increase efficiency and speed up service delivery.

He called on all officers and agencies under the ministry to regard OACS as a shared commitment rather than merely a strategy.

When met after the launch, Awang Tengah told reporters Sarawak recorded RM11.2 billion in investments in the first half of 2026 and the figure is expected to increase further through new investments and reinvestments.

“Sarawak has the potential to match or exceed the RM16 billion investment recorded in 2025. We are only in the first half of the year, and we hope this investment will continue to increase. I am confident that it will,” he said.

He said Mintred had engaged with several companies which had made commitments to invest in Sarawak.

“These include new investments as well as reinvestments by companies that have already invested here. This means that existing investors are continuing to expand their investments in Sarawak,” he said.

Also present were Deputy Minister for Integrity and Ombudsman Dato Dr Juanda Jaya, Mintred deputy minister Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, Mintred advisor Dato Sri Mohd Naroden Majais and Mintred permanent secretary Datuk Lester Matthew.