Abang Abdul Rahman Johari Abang Openg


Abang Abdul Rahman Johari bin Al-Marhum Tun Abang Haji Openg is a Malaysian politician popularly known as "Abang Jo" or "Abang Johari". He has served as the 6th Chief Minister of Sarawak following the death of his predecessor Adenan Satem in January 2017. He took his oath of office before the Governor Abdul Taib Mahmud at the Astana Negeri on 13 January 2017. In addition, he has also served as 6th President of the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu since January 2017 and founded the Gabungan Parti Sarawak and having served as its 1st Chairman since June 2018.

Early life and education

Born in Limbang on August 4, 1949 to Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg bin Abang Sapiee and Toh Puan Datin Dayang Masniah Abdul Rahman, Abang Johari is the youngest of 10 siblings. He received his early education at Merpati Jepang Primary School, Kuching, before pursuing secondary education at St. Joseph Secondary School, Kuching. He holds a Master of Business Administration awarded by Brunel University.

Satok State Constituency

Abang Jo was first elected to the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly representing the Satok State Constituency in 1981. He succeeded Tan Sri Abang Abu Bakar Abang Mustafa. Since then, he was elected to represent the constituency nine times: 1981, 1983, 1987, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016.

Career

Prior to entering politics in 1977, he served Malaysia Airlines as an corporate relations executive. Since 1981, he is a member of Sarawak State Legislative Assembly for Satok.
Throughout his service as such, he served several political offices, including Principal Political Secretary to the Chief Minister and Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Community Development.
In 1987, he was promoted as full Minister and, hence, admitted to the State Cabinet. He served as Minister of Industrial Development, Minister of Housing and Minister of Tourism.
Following the victory of Barisan Nasional in 2016 state election, he was promoted as the Deputy Chief Minister, the post he served alongside with Douglas Uggah Embas and James Jemut Masing, from May 2016 to January 2017.
Upon the death of Pehin Sri Haji Adenan Satem on 11 January 2017, Abg Jo was appointed the sixth Chief Minister of Sarawak and sworn in on 13 January 2017.

Family

Abang Zohari, son of Abang Openg Abang Sapiee and Dayang Masniah Abdul Rahman, is married to YABhg. Datuk Amar Hajah Juma'ani Tun Tuanku Haji Bujang. Together the couple has two children.

Awards

Abang Johari received various awards including: