CubeSats key to unlocking S’wak’s rare earth potential, plan future economy

57 minutes ago 5

ADVERTISE HERE

By Amanda L

KUCHING, July 9: Sarawak will deploy CubeSat technology to determine the size of its rare earth reserves and gather critical Earth observation data to support long term economic planning, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg says.

According to him, satellite-derived data would enable the State to better understand its natural resources and make informed decisions as it prepares for future industries driven by artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and other advanced technologies.

Speaking to reporters after officiating the Sarawak Energy Vendor Excellence Awards (SEVEA) 2026 here on Wednesday (July 8), Abang Johari said launching CubeSats was crucial because they would provide Earth observation data needed to plan Sarawak’s future development.

“That is why it is very important for us to launch CubeSats into space so that we can obtain data from the Earth to help us plan for the future.

“We have rare earth, but we still do not know its volume,” he said.

Abang Johari explained that rare earths comprise 11 elements, some of which are essential for producing magnets used in semiconductors and satellites despite being required only in small quantities.

“Countries with abundant energy resources would be well positioned to attract future digital industries as technology evolves.

“We must stand on our own feet, but we must do so intelligently,” he added.

He said these technological shifts reinforced the need for Sarawak to make bold decisions based on facts and reliable data rather than conventional thinking.

Looking ahead, he said the rapid advancement of AI and computing would transform today’s data centre model within the next five years, shifting towards more decentralised computing rather than relying on large, centralised facilities. — DayakDaily

Read Entire Article