Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Abang Openg (born 4 August 1950) is a Malaysian politician who has served as the sixth premier of Sarawak since 2017. He is a member of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and has served as the party's president since 2017 and chairman of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) since 2018. He became involved in politics in 1977 and was first elected to the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly in 1981 to represent Satok. He represented the constituency for four decades before contesting Gedong in 2021.
Abang Johari was born in Limbang while his father, Abang Openg, was serving as its district officer. Abang Openg subsequently became the first Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak after the formation of Malaysia in 1963. Abang Johari is descended from a Sarawak Malay family with connections to prominent Sarawak chiefs in the 19th century, including Datu Patinggi Ali. He received his early education in Kuching at Merpati Jepang Primary School, St. Thomas' School and St. Joseph's School. After completing his studies, he worked for Malaysia Airlines in corporate relations before entering politics through PBB. He subsequently pursued studies in the United Kingdom and obtained a master's degree in business administration from Henley Business School.
After being elected to the state legislative assembly in 1981, Abang Johari held several portfolios in the state administration under Chief Ministers Abdul Taib Mahmud and Adenan Satem, including industrial development, tourism, housing and urbanisation. He was appointed deputy chief minister in 2016. Following Adenan's death in January 2017, Abang Johari was sworn in as the sixth chief minister of Sarawak on 13 January 2017 and assumed the presidency of PBB. In 2018, he led PBB, together with three other Sarawak political parties, out of Barisan Nasional (BN) and formed GPS. The title of chief minister was subsequently changed to premier in March 2022.
In the 2021 state election, GPS won 76 of the 82 seats in the state legislative assembly. Abang Johari moved from Satok to contest Gedong and won the seat. In the 2022 general election, GPS won 23 of the 31 parliamentary seats in Sarawak and subsequently supported the formation of the federal government led by Anwar Ibrahim. Under his administration, Abang Johari has focused on Sarawak's position and powers within the federation, including matters relating to the Malaysia Agreement. He has also expanded Sarawak's involvement in the oil and gas sector through Petroleum Sarawak Berhad, while implementing policies relating to digitalisation, infrastructure and natural resources.
Sarawak's development policies under Abang Johari's administration have included renewable energy and emerging technologies, including hydrogen, solar energy and low-carbon technologies. The Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 has served as one of Sarawak's development frameworks in the areas of the economy, infrastructure, education, technology and human capital development. His administration has also expanded economic relations with countries in Asia and Europe in the fields of energy, technology, investment and trade, while placing emphasis on higher education as well as technical and vocational education and training. Abang Johari has been described as the "Father of Sarawak Transformation".
Early life and education Abang Johari was born on 4 August 1950 in a government quarters near Bukit Tasik Mas, Limbang, Sarawak. His original name was Abang Abdul Rahman. During his childhood, he frequently suffered from health problems, which were considered difficult to cure. Following the advice of local residents in Limbang who held traditional beliefs concerning the suitability of names, the name 'Zohari' was subsequently added to his name. According to him, his health improved after the addition of the name and that he subsequently grew up in good health.
Abang Johari was the son of Abang Openg and Dayang Masniah. He was the youngest son and the eighth of ten siblings, comprising four sons and six daughters. Abang Johari grew up in a family closely associated with the public service and administration of Sarawak. His father, Abang Openg, began his career in the Sarawak civil service in 1924 and subsequently served in various administrative positions, including as district officer of Limbang and Kuching. On 16 September 1963, he became the first governor or Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak following the formation of Malaysia. Abang Johari's mother, Dayang Masniah, was the only daughter of Abang Abdul Rahman. Through her grandfather, Abang Matusin, she was descended from Dato Patinggi Gapor, a prominent figure in the early administration of Sarawak before the arrival of James Brooke. Abang Openg and Dayang Masniah married in 1930. During his adolescence, Abang Johari and his siblings accompanied their parents on official visits to various parts of Sarawak.
Through both sides of his family, Abang Johari has ancestral connections to several prominent figures in Sarawak's history. He is a direct descendant of Dato Patinggi Gapor, who served as a leading administrator of Sarawak before the Brooke era. His ancestry also includes Datu Patinggi Ali and Raja Jarum. Through his paternal lineage, he is descended from Menteri Hussin, a grandson of the Minangkabau Raja and an ancestor of the sultans of Brunei.
Abang Johari began his primary education at Merpati Jepang Primary School in Kuching after his family moved from Limbang. He subsequently attended St. Thomas' School, an Anglican institution, from 1963 to 1967. His former classmates recalled him as a quiet, humble and friendly student who maintained friendships across ethnic and religious communities despite being the son of the governor. He later transferred to St Joseph's Secondary School, Kuching, a Catholic institution administered by the De La Salle Brothers, to complete his secondary education.
Early career After finishing school, Abang Johari then worked with Malaysia Airlines as an executive officer. He earned a Master of Business Management degree from Henley Business School, United Kingdom.
Political career Entry into politics In the early 1970s, Sarawak had several active youth organisations, including the Federation of Sarawak Malay Youth Clubs, the Sarawak Youth Council, and the Bidayuh Youth Club. In 1972, leaders from these groups formed the Sarawak United National Youth Organisation (SABERKAS). During this time, Abang Johari was involved with SABERKAS. He also became affiliated with Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), a significant party within the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition at both the federal and state levels. His formal political career began in 1977 when he was appointed youth chief of PBB.
In 1981, following the resignation of the Satok state assemblyman, Abang Johari was invited by then Chief Minister Abdul Rahman Ya'kub to contest the by-election. Initially hesitant, he proposed his elder brother, Abang Abdul Karim, as a potential candidate; however, Rahman considered him too reserved for political life. After receiving encouragement from his family, particularly his mother, Abang Johari agreed to run. He won the seat and entered the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly. The following year, he was appointed principal political secretary to Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud.
Ministerial roles After his 1983 re-election, Abang Johari was appointed Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Community Development. In 1987, he became Minister of Industrial Development under Abdul Taib Mahmud's cabinet. On 29 August 1998, at the triennial delegates' conference of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) held at the One Hotel Santubong Kuching Resort, Abang Johari was elected as the new deputy president of PBB for the former Bumiputera Party quota, defeating Adenan Satem with 373 votes to 268. The incumbent, Abang Abu Bakar Abang Mustapha, who had held the position since 1986, received 27 votes. The election, officiated by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, was conducted under tight security and amid tense conditions. Party leaders characterised the event as a family affair. Adenan was reported to have had the support of Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud. However, Taib denied this, stating that he saw himself as a father figure to all three prominent figures in the race – Abang Johari, Adenan and Mohd Effendi Norwawi.
In 2001, Abang Johari took on the role of Minister of Tourism in 2000 and successfully defended his seat.
In 2004, he was appointed Minister of Housing, retaining this position through the 2006 state election. During his time there, he tackled major financial challenges when he was able to secure substantial federal allocation of RM200 million for affordable housing projects under the Eighth and Ninth Malaysia Plans within just two months in office. He played a key role in introducing the People's Friendly Housing Scheme (RMR) to Sarawak, which helped rural villagers who owned land but lacked resources to build homes. He promoted strong cooperation between the public and private sectors by creating special committees that continue to influence housing development in the state.
From 2009 to 2011, Abang Johari served as Minister of Housing and Urbanisation.
Following the 2011 election, he returned as Minister of Tourism. As tourism minister, Abang Johari identified disruptions in the aviation sector, such as changes in airline operators and the Malaysia Airlines-AirAsia share swap, as factors affecting tourism accessibility in Sarawak. He stated that these issues complicated efforts to set tourism targets and impacted domestic travel, particularly from Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah. In response, he expressed support for the idea of developing MASwings into a regional carrier to serve Sarawak, Sabah, the BIMP-EAGA region and selected Asian destinations. He also acknowledged receiving a memorandum from tourism stakeholders requesting a formal aviation policy to address logistical challenges and support regional economic interests. He also highlighted the tourism potential of areas such as the Bakun, Batang Ai and Murum dams, noting their suitability for eco-tourism and film production. Sarawak's tourism development also included the promotion of international meetings and events through the Sarawak Convention Bureau (now 'Business Event Sarawak') and facilities like the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.
When Abdul Taib resigned as Chief Minister in 2014, Abang Johari was considered a potential successor, but Adenan Satem was appointed instead. Adenan and Abang Johari had a longstanding personal connection. In 2016, after Barisan Nasional's victory, Abang Johari was appointed Deputy Chief Minister and held the portfolios of Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and Minister of Housing and Urbanisation.
Chief ministership and premiership (2017–present) Appointment On 11 January 2017, six months after the state election, Adenan died of a heart attack at the Sarawak Heart Centre in Kota Samarahan. His death was announced by Abang Johari at a press conference, during which he provided information about the funeral arrangements. Following Adenan's death, Abang Johari, Douglas Uggah Embas and Awang Tengah Ali Hasan were identified as possible successors due to their positions as deputy presidents of the ruling party. The party delayed discussions on the appointment of a new chief minister during the mourning period.