Ibrahim Baki

Summary

Datuk Ibrahim Baki is the PBB assemblyman for Satok, Kuching, first elected in December 2021 in his debut election contest. A lawyer by training with a career background at PETRONAS and a co-founded Sarawak law firm, he serves as GPS chief whip, PBB vice-president (from February 2025), and Sarawak Deputy Utility Minister overseeing Sarawak Energy Bhd and Petros (from March 2025). He is a prominent voice in Sarawak's assertion of state rights over its continental shelf oil and gas resources.

Biography

Datuk Ibrahim Baki is the state assemblyman for Satok, Kuching, representing Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition. A legal professional by training, he began his career as a legal officer at Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS) in 1984 before co-founding a law firm in Sarawak [1]. He also served as a non-independent non-executive director of PETRONAS [2]. Ibrahim has been active in PBB and GPS party affairs for over three decades, holding the post of PBB deputy secretary-general since 2002 [1]. He was selected as the GPS candidate for Satok in the 12th Sarawak State Election (18 December 2021), succeeding Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg who had held the seat for nine terms since 1981 [2]. The 2021 election was his first contest, which he won [2]. He subsequently became the GPS chief whip in the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly [3]. In October 2024, he was appointed chairman of Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB), effective 1 October 2024 [1]. In February 2025, he was elected PBB vice-president at the PBB Convention, garnering 910 votes in the Bumiputera Wing — the highest tally among the four victorious vice-president candidates [3]. On 17 March 2025, he was appointed Sarawak Deputy Utility Minister (Sarawak Energy Bhd and Petros) and sworn in at Astana Negeri Sarawak. The Sarawak government stated the appointment aimed to boost the energy sector, including investment in the oil and gas industry [2].

Known for

Ibrahim Baki is known for his legal and energy sector expertise, having spent his pre-political career at PETRONAS before co-founding a law firm and chairing Sarawak Energy Bhd. He has been a vocal advocate for Sarawak's constitutional claims over its oil and gas resources on the continental shelf. Within GPS and PBB, he rose through the party hierarchy to become GPS chief whip and, from 2025, both PBB vice-president and Sarawak Deputy Utility Minister.

Political positions

Ibrahim Baki has consistently argued that Sarawak holds legislative and executive authority over oil and gas resources in its continental shelf, grounded in the state's Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 and the Federal Constitution, and that this is a matter of domestic rather than international law [2][4]. He has defended the role of Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) in coordinating the state's gas industry and has asserted that Sarawak has never relinquished rights over its continental shelf [4]. On energy policy, he has outlined ambitions to position Sarawak as a major regional energy player, including through the Borneo Grid initiative and the Sarawak Gas Roadmap [3]. He has framed the state's fiscal management as prudent and disciplined, and has stated his aim is to contribute to Sarawak's vision of becoming a developed, high-income state by 2030 under the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030) [3].

Before politics

1. 1984Began career as a legal officer at Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS).⛓
2. Post-1984Co-founded a law firm in Sarawak after his time at PETRONAS. Also served as a non-independent non-executive director of PETRONAS.⛓

Political career

1. 2002Appointed PBB deputy secretary-general, a post he held for over two decades alongside his corporate activities.⛓
2. December 2021Contested and won the Satok state seat in the 12th Sarawak State Election (GPS candidate), succeeding Premier Abang Johari who had held the seat since 1981. This was his first election contest.⛓
3. October 1, 2024Appointed chairman of Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB), effective 1 October 2024, succeeding Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi.⛓
4. February 16, 2025Elected PBB vice-president (Bumiputera Wing) at the PBB Convention on his first attempt, obtaining 910 votes — the highest tally among the four winning vice-president candidates.⛓
5. March 17, 2025Sworn in as Sarawak Deputy Utility Minister (Sarawak Energy Bhd and Petros) at Astana Negeri Sarawak, as part of a minor Sarawak Cabinet reshuffle.⛓

Election history

• 2021Satok (Sarawak State)Won⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• GovernmentPremier Abang Johari stated that Ibrahim Baki's appointment as Deputy Utility Minister aimed to increase investment in the energy sector, including oil and gas, and cited his PETRONAS background as a key qualification, saying: 'Datuk Ibrahim has the advantage because he has extensive experience.'⛓
• IndustrySarawak Energy Bhd stated upon Ibrahim's appointment as chairman that he 'brings over three decades of experience across industries such as property development, shipping, and media,' signalling the company's confidence in his cross-sector background.⛓
• VerifiedFactsIbrahim Baki won the Satok seat at the 12th Sarawak State Election on 18 December 2021, contesting for the first time. He was elected PBB vice-president (February 2025), appointed SEB chairman (October 2024), and sworn in as Sarawak Deputy Utility Minister (March 2025). The Edge Malaysia reported he held a 4.42% stake in Ibraco Bhd and appeared in CMSB's list of 30 largest shareholders as of FY2024.⛓

Business interests (publicly reported)

According to The Edge Malaysia (June 2025), Datuk Ibrahim Baki held a 4.42% stake in Sarawak-based property developer Ibraco Bhd as of April 2025, and his name appeared in the list of 30 largest shareholders of Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd (CMSB) in the company's FY2024 annual report (Source: theedgemalaysia.com). He has also served as a non-independent non-executive director of PETRONAS (Source: thestar.com.my).