‘Maybe by 2037, robots will be the ones beating the drums’: Premier Abang Johari

Humanoid robots could eventually take on roles such as beating drums at public events, reflecting the growing capabilities of robotics and automation, according to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Photo credit: Ukas

By Amanda L

KUCHING, May 10: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg believes Sarawak workers must prepare for a future shaped by automation, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, joking that humanoid robots could even be the ones beating drums at future events.

Speaking during the Sarawak-level Labour Day 2026 celebration at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today, Abang Johari said rapid technological advancements would significantly transform the nature of work by 2037.

Referring to the cheerleaders with drums who were energising the crowd at the event, he quipped: “Maybe by 2037, the ones beating the drums will be humanoids.”

“This is not imagination. It will happen,” he said.

Expanding on the point, Abang Johari said robots are already capable of performing increasingly advanced tasks, citing developments in countries such as China where humanoid robots can imitate human movements and skills.

Even so, he stressed that automation would still depend heavily on human expertise, particularly in programming, data input and technological management.

“Robots will work as partners to humans,” he said.

Abang Johari said Sarawak is already preparing for a transition towards a high-technology economy driven by AI, automation, aerospace and semiconductor industries.

As industries evolve, he noted that many traditional labour-intensive tasks would eventually be replaced by automated systems, creating greater demand for technical knowledge and digital skills.

“Previously people carried sacks onto ships manually. In the future, all of that will use chips and robots,” he said.

To prepare Sarawakians for the shift, he said the State government is placing strong emphasis on technical education, workforce upskilling and the development of high-technology industries.

He added that Sarawak’s free tertiary education initiative covering 64 programmes is aimed at producing more skilled workers and specialists in areas such as science, finance, cyber law and emerging technologies.

Despite concerns surrounding automation, Abang Johari expressed confidence that Sarawak’s relatively small population could become a highly skilled workforce capable of competing globally. — DayakDaily