Premier: Sarawak SOEs must show measurable progress within first 100 days

KUCHING (Sept 22): According to Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, states-owned enterprises (SOEs) must showcase tangible and quantifiable improvement within the initial 100 days of the transformation programme to illustrate their adopted shift in operations. During the Sarawak SOEs Transformation Programme - Phase 2, the premier emphasized that the first 100 days should serve as a trial of each organization's dedication, calling for immediate action on initiatives outlined in their transformation plan.

"Therefore, the pledge ceremony must be followed by immediate action. I want each entity to identify actions that can begin now — not after another study," he stated.

Abang Johari underscored the necessity for initiatives to transition into implementation based on their intended outcomes. "If an initiative is meant to generate income, commence customer validation. 'If a cost initiative is intended to economize, begin process redesign. If digital adoption is envisioned, initiate a pilot. If consolidation is proposed, provide a clear timeline for the detailed study,' he cautioned.

The premier asserted that transformation gains credibility when there is visible evidence of change within an organization. "Transformation becomes credible when people can point to something that has changed. The first 100 days should therefore produce visible evidence that the organization has entered a new way of working," he emphasized.

He urged transformation playbooks to serve as ongoing management documents rather than being viewed as documents that conclude with the pledge ceremony. "The Transformation Playbooks must become living management documents — not documents that end with today's ceremony," he reiterated. Abang Johari stressed that boards should provide oversight, while chief executive officers (CEOs) and general managers should take ownership and accountability for implementation.

"Boards must provide oversight. CEOs and general managers must take ownership and be accountable for implementation," he emphasized.

The premier indicated that ministries and state agencies should offer assistance when issues transcend individual entities, while the State Financial Secretary’s Office would continue to monitor progress and outcomes. Abang Johari proposed scaling up successful initiatives and intervening to rectify delayed implementation or adapt strategies when circumstances changed.

"Where initiatives succeed, scale them. Where implementation is delayed, intervene. Where circumstances change, adapt. But where there is persistent failure to execute, there must be accountability," he stated.

The ultimate goal, according to Abang Johari, is to achieve meaningful transformation through robust businesses, new revenue streams, heightened productivity, efficient use of technology, strengthened partnerships, more judicious utilization of assets, and amplified contributions to Sarawak’s development. "Ultimately, we want to see real transformation — stronger businesses, new revenue streams, higher productivity, meaningful use of technology, stronger partnerships, better use of assets and greater contribution to Sarawak’s development," he concluded.