Sarawak targets greater Bumiputera participation in high-growth sectors

PUTRAJAYA: The Sarawak government will continue strengthening its Bumiputera development agenda through a more integrated approach focusing on business expansion, talent development, financing, market access and participation in high-impact sectors.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said one of the key initiatives is the 3-7-20 strategic framework, which focuses on listing Bumiputera companies on Bursa Malaysia, developing Regional Business Champions and scaling up micro-enterprises into Sdn Bhd companies.

He said the framework had achieved a significant milestone with United Asiapac Energy Berhad listed on Bursa Malaysia’s ACE Market on Sept 14, 2026, with a market capitalisation of RM192.50 million and RM48.74 million raised.

“The framework has recorded an important achievement with United Asiapac Energy Berhad successfully listed on Bursa Malaysia’s ACE Market on Sept 14, 2026, with a market capitalisation of RM192.50 million and RM48.74 million in funds raised,” he said in a statement following the Bumiputera Economic Council Steering Committee Meeting No. 2/2026 chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Putrajaya on Monday (Sept 28).

Awang Tengah, who is also Sarawak Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment, said nine more Sarawak Bumiputera companies had been identified for potential listing, with two targeted for listing in 2027.

He said the Sarawak government would also expand Bumiputera participation in high-growth sectors such as hydrogen, petrochemicals, advanced manufacturing, aerospace and semiconductors, in line with the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).

At the same time, he said the Sarawak government encouraged collaboration between Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera companies through joint ventures, technology sharing, vendor development and market access.

He said the approach is important in developing a more holistic, inclusive and complementary business ecosystem in Sarawak, allowing local companies to grow together within regional and global supply chains.

Talent development would also be strengthened through technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes at CENTEXS and Sarawak Skills, as well as collaboration with Federal agencies.

He said RM250 million had also been allocated for the implementation of the Free Tertiary Education Scheme beginning this year.

“Through close cooperation between the Sarawak and Federal governments, as well as stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors, Sarawak aims to develop a stronger, more inclusive and competitive enterprise ecosystem, with more local companies able to expand to the regional and global levels.”