Sarawak wants technological innovation to be commercialized

KUCHING, 5 Oct: Sarawak wants the results of research and innovation in technology to be brought to the application, commercial and industrial levels to ensure that the developed capabilities are capable of providing value to the state economy.

Sarawak's Minister of Utility and Telecommunications, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said that development of technology capabilities should not be stopped at the research or prototyping stage, instead it should have clear pathways for use in industry.

"Capacity building alone is not enough. If research stays in the lab, innovation stops at the prototype stage or technology is put to use without solving real economic or social problems, we haven't realized its full value yet.

"We need a stronger path from research to applications, from innovation to commercialization and from capacity to industry", he said.

He said this while addressing the inaugural session of Sarawak International Digital Economy Conference (IDECS) 2026 at Borneo Kuching Convention Centre (BCCK), here, today.

He said the effort would require closer links between governments, industry, universities, researchers, investors and entrepreneurs to ensure that the technologies developed can be tested, applied and developed into a wider market.

In the meantime, every new technology needs to be seen in terms of usability, what problems can be solved, which industries have the potential to use it as well as the ability to generate intellectual property and local companies.

Julaihi said the role of government is to create an environment that enables this through provision of infrastructure, policies and regulatory environment, as well as investment in talent and capacity development.

"Governments cannot build this innovation economy on their own. Industry needs to bring investment and market knowledge, while universities and research institutions need to continue developing knowledge and intellectual property", he said.

He said that Sarawak is also developing capabilities in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, advanced connectivity, smart infrastructure, renewable energy and space economy which have the potential to create new economic value.

According to him, the strength of Sarawak's digital ecosystem ultimately depends on how far governments, industry, academia, investors, entrepreneurs and communities can work together to develop technology as well as generate broader economic opportunities.