Premier: Be prepared to grab opportunities arising from S’wak govt’s agenda, future investments

Sagah, representing Abang Johari, speaking during the closing ceremony of WorldSkills Malaysia Sarawak 2023 Centex on Dec 11, 2023.

By Christopher Lidom

KUCHING, Dec 11: Sarawakians must be prepared to grab opportunities arising from the Sarawak government’s agenda and future investments, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Abang Johari said the new industries that are coming will demand workers who are highly skilled and technically competent.

“We do not want these opportunities to be filled by foreign workers. Instead, our local workforce should take up these opportunities,” said Abang Johari, whose text speech was read by Ministry of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Sarawak (MEITD) Minister Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn.

Sagah represented the Premier to officiate at the WorldSkills Malaysia Sarawak 2023 closing ceremony held at Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (Centex) in Jalan Sultan Tengah today.

He said Sarawak is transitioning from the present economic development mode to new approaches based on the new economy.

He also said that he wants to ensure that Sarawak can embark on a full-fledged transformation capitalising on mega-trends around the world, primarily globalisation, supply chain resilience, digitalisation, Industrial Revolution (IR) 4.0, circular and low-carbon, green economy as spelt out in the State’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

“When we talk about IR 4.0, the way forward for Sarawak is to industrialise our economy. Our strategy is to add more value to our economic activities in all sectors of the economy.

“To achieve this, we need to develop our human capital as the drivers of growth. Our industrialisation plans will come to nothing if we do not have the workforce with the right knowledge and skills,” he added.

Currently, Abang Johari pointed out that Sarawak is fine-tuning its technical, vocational education and training (TVET) programmes and courses to suit the requirements of industries in various fields.

According to him, the Sarawak government, through MEITD, is also establishing more technical training centres, including increasing training capacity and taking necessary measures to attract students to undertake TVET courses.

“Under Strategic Thrust Five of PCDS 2030, which is Strengthening Human Capital and Talent Development, MEITD is committed to developing Sarawak’s human capital to ensure that the Sarawakians are highly knowledgeable, skilful, creative, and innovative.

“This strategic thrust is supported by initiatives that are enhancing the quality of education, promoting employability of workforce and strengthening the skilled workforce and providing educational assistance programmes,” he said. — DayakDaily