Premier: Sarawak govt aims to boost high-end industries by harnessing on state’s strength in renewable energy

KUCHING (July 10): The Sarawak government is determined to diversify, evolve and embrace high-end industries in Sarawak, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said this is in view of the state’s strength in energy generation.

He pointed out that the state has set a target to produce 10 gigawatts (GW) of energy via its abundant indigenous resources by the year 2030.

“At the moment, we have an installed capacity of around 5,700 megawatts (MW) and within these three years, we want to upgrade to 10GW.

“I together with my Cabinet are going to the ground to explore various technologies that can generate renewable energy as the strength for us to provide the required energy in all economic activities,” he said when officiating the grand opening of global microelectronics engineering company Melexis wafer testing site facility at Sama Jaya High-Tech Park here today.

He shared that the state is currently running an experiment to install floating solar panels in Batang Ai which occupied only three per cent of the water bodies and is able to produce 50MW of power.

“Assuming that we can install the floating solar panels on 60 per cent of water bodies, we can produce around 2,000MW and this can be dedicated to industries in Sama Jaya,” he said.

On Melexis, Abang Johari said the company’s collaboration with Sarawak Semiconductor Design (SMD) and X-FAB will create an ecosystem in the chain of high-tech devices.

“In 2022, Sarawak made a significant step by working together with Melexis through the collaboration with SMD in hopes that we can produce designers that are able to adjust and align themselves to the modern advancement in chip technology.

“With the development of artificial intelligence (AI), interactive AI and generative AI, these all depended on how the chips are designs and produced that will give strength to the devices with chips embedded in them.

“In this respect, it is the desire of the Sarawak government that we work together and whatever strength that we have, we will share it with you (Melexis) and whatever strength that you have, you share with us,” he said.

He congratulated Melexis on the opening of its new facility here, which is the largest wafer testing site worldwide.

“We hope that this collaboration will move us forward in becoming players in the global microelectronic chain,” he said.

The new Melexis facility here signals Melexis’ commitment to meeting the increasing demand for semiconductors and strengthening its presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Its expansion in the country marks a significant milestone in the company’s 35-year journey to fulfill the growing global demand for semiconductors, which is expected to double in the next decade.

Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Deputy International Trade, Industry and Investment Minister Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, Deputy Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, Belgium ambassador to Malaysia Peter Van Acker, and Melexis chairwoman Francoise Chombar.