KUCHING: Sarawak is taking a people-first approach to aerospace and new space development, placing emphasis on talent, institutions and systems as the foundation for building a sustainable ecosystem.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarawak is building long-term capability step by step, grounded in education, sound governance, strong industry partnerships and practical as well as applied use cases.
He pointed out that one of the state’s earliest priorities was coordination and governance which led to the establishment of the Sarawak Aerospace Advisory Council.
“The council ensures that aerospace and new space development is coordinated across state and federal agencies, aligned with national frameworks, connected to real industry needs and guided by long-term planning rather than fragmented initiatives.
“This governance layer is essential in aerospace where certification standards are stringent, development cycles are long and credibility matters more than speed. Thus, Sarawak is building aerospace as a system,” he said.
He made these remarks in his keynote address at the launching ceremony of Asia Pacific Aerospace Conference and Exhibition (APACE) 2026 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching on Tuesday (Jan 27).
With aerospace and new space being human capital-intensive industries, Abang Johari said Sarawak has placed education and talent development at the centre of its aerospace strategy.
He said the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at i-CATS University College was established and implemented under the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) to widen access to high-value disciplines.
“We also embark on three new programmes in Aircraft Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO), specialising in airframe and avionics. These programmes are designed to meet real industry demand covering aircraft operations and safety, maintenance, repair and certification as well as advanced avionics and digital aircraft systems,” he said.
At the same time, Abang Johari stressed that the Sarawak Talent Development Policy and Blueprint represent a strategic and long-term commitment to building a technically skilled, agile, innovative and future-ready workforce to support Sarawak’s economic transformation.
While nurturing talent remains essential, he said Sarawak recognises that it is equally important to strengthen talent retention by creating clear career pathways, strong industry linkages and a conducive ecosystem where the people can grow and thrive in the state.
“Initiatives such as APACE play a critical role in translating policy into action by aligning education and training with industry needs, enhancing employability and ensuring that our talent development efforts deliver real impact for sustainable growth and long-term prosperity.
“Our objective is clear, we want to prepare Sarawakians not only to work in aerospace but to acquire capability and expertise,” he said.
