Premier: S’wak investment must build local capabilities, not create dependency

Abang Johari (fifth left) alongside distinguished guests officiating the ninth International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS) 2026 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Oct 5, 2026. Photo credit: Ukas

By Amanda L

KUCHING, Oct 5: Investment and international partnerships in Sarawak must build the State’s own capabilities rather than create long-term dependence on external expertise, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said investors and international partners should strengthen links with Sarawakian talent, local businesses, research institutions and supply chains so that investment creates lasting value beyond immediate economic gains.

“At the same time, these partnerships should strengthen our own capabilities. We want investment and collaboration to create stronger links with Sarawakian talent, local businesses, research institutions and supply chains, so that the benefits extend beyond immediate economic activity and contribute to our development over the longer term,” he said.

He said this during his speech at the ninth International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS) 2026 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.

Besides that, the Premier acknowledged that Sarawak did not need to develop every technology or area of expertise on its own.

He said collaboration with industry, universities, research institutions and international partners could accelerate learning and provide access to expertise that was not yet available locally.

However, he stressed that such partnerships must ultimately help Sarawak develop its own talent and expertise instead of becoming dependent on external capabilities.

He also said Sarawak needed to connect infrastructure, talent, research, industry, investment and market access to turn ideas into commercially viable products and services.

“For Sarawak, this means creating an environment where a researcher can develop an idea, where a company can test and commercialise it, where investors can support its growth, and where the resulting product or service can find markets beyond Sarawak,” he said.

He said this connection between knowledge, capability, investment and markets was crucial to turning innovation into economic value.

Abang Johari said Sarawak’s natural resources, energy sector, industries and institutions provided a strong foundation for innovation, while technology could help the State derive greater value from these strengths and enter new areas of economic activity.

He said the broader objective was to ensure investment and collaboration left Sarawak with stronger local capabilities and wider opportunities for its people. — DayakDaily