Centexs Lundu aerospace academy to drive tech advancement in S’wak, says Premier

KUCHING (Oct 12): An aerospace academy has been established at the Centre for Technical Excellence Sarawak (Centexs) in Lundu to transform the state’s economy in the technology sector, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Deeming the technology sector serve as the enabler for the state’s economic transformation under the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, he said this move was to nurture local skilled talent in the aerospace field.

“The technology sector is another key enabler in Sarawak’s economic transformation under PCDS 2030.

“Recently, I’ve launched the aerospace academy at Centexs Lundu to prepare competent talent in aerospace and related fields under the national aerospace programme,” he said when speaking at the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar’s 78th birthday celebration parade at Padang Merdeka here this morning.

Abang Johari also said the Lundu and Sematan areas were selected as the site for the launch of Malaysia’s national satellite, and added Sarawak plans to launch its own microsatellites in the near future.

“This is for the purpose of data collection and dissemination in the future,” he said.

Meanwhile, the premier said with the state’s agriculture sector focused on commercial agriculture activities, the state government plans to develop over 20,000 hectares of rice fields statewide for large-scale paddy plantations.

He added these areas involve Lundu, Simunjan, Gedong, Sri Aman, Spaoh, Limbang and Lawas.

“With new technology and hybrid rice varieties, Sarawak would be able to produce up to five harvests in two years. This would definitely help increase our paddy production and help farmers boost their income,” he said.