Abg Jo: Sarawak targets semiconductors, aerospace, education, green energy to help Malaysia become highly developed nation

KUCHING (Jan 14): Sarawak can play a role in helping Malaysia become a highly developed nation by focusing on key sectors of the new economy, said Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Speaking at a townhall session on Tuesday, Abang Johari said that as Malaysia moves further into 2026 and looks ahead to 2030 and beyond, there is a need to reassess what constitutes the new economy and where Sarawak can contribute meaningfully at the national level.

He identified four priority areas, namely semiconductors, aerospace, education reform, and renewable or green energy.

On semiconductors, he noted that modern life is increasingly dependent on chips used in mobile phones, satellites, vehicles and healthcare systems.

“In Malaysia, we only do assembly. Intel assembles in Penang. But we must create something out of chips.

“That is why I established another institutional organisation, SMD, Sarawak Semiconductor. We have a lab in Cardiff, United Kingdom, because there we can conduct research on chip design,” he said.

He added that Sarawakian scientists are already involved in developing artificial intelligence-powered chip designs, including the AI-powered KETEQ AI chip.

“We have our own design, and InsyaAllah when we obtain the intellectual property, we will be a world player in chips,” he said.

Abang Johari said aerospace is another critical area, as data transmission increasingly relies on space-based infrastructure.

He added that understanding aerospace technology is essential, even at the community level, as digital concepts such as cloud computing become more prevalent.

“Now there is iCloud. We want to explain to villagers what iCloud is, what the cloud is. So we must have knowledge in aerospace,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of education reform to prepare the workforce for the new economy.

Renewable and green energy, he added, form the fourth pillar of future growth.

“If we can focus on these four areas, InsyaAllah, Sarawak can play a role in helping Malaysia become a very developed nation,” he said.

During the session, moderator Sayed Munawar Sayed Mustar raised the potential of agrotechnology, given Sarawak’s vast land resources, and asked how local communities could be involved as partners rather than outsiders in such projects.

Responding, Abang Johari said economic development is typically driven by collaboration between the private sector and landowners.

He cited a paddy cultivation project in Kuala Rajang, where idle village land was consolidated and leased to a private company.

“With the cooperation of the local representatives, the government, and the private sector, the villagers who own the land were consolidated, the private sector then planted paddy,” he said.

He said the state Cabinet has approved the expansion of rice and paddy planting to strengthen food security, with the goal of producing enough rice to meet Sarawak’s needs.

He added that any surplus could be supplied to Peninsular Malaysia to support national food security.

He noted that the state currently depends on imports from Vietnam and Thailand.