BY JACINTHA JOLENE & ALEXANDRA LORNA
KUCHING: Sarawak must leverage its natural resources by mastering technology and developing human capital to build high-value economic sectors.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the success of a country or state did not depend solely on the abundance of natural resources, but also on the ability of its people to master technology and develop those resources to generate economic value.
Citing Singapore, he said the country had successfully developed its economy despite having limited natural resources, including through its mastery of the financial sector and development of a highly skilled workforce.
“Japan, for example, was once not considered to have many resources. I still remember when I was young, Japanese cars were regarded as being of poor quality.
“But Japan managed to develop through technological advancement and human capital. Today, everyone wants to buy Japanese cars because of the technology they have mastered.
“Therefore, if we look at other developed states or countries, the factor driving their progress is their people — human intelligence and human capital,” he said in his speech during the launching ceremony of AI for Makers in conjunction with the Borneo Makers Festival 2026 at TEGAS Digital Village here today (Aug 23).
Sarawak, he said, has an advantage in terms of natural resources, and the younger generation should therefore be equipped with technological knowledge and skills to explore and add value to those resources.
“Singapore does not have resources, and Japan also does not have resources, but Sarawak has resources.
“Therefore, mastery of technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), can help the younger generation conduct research and find new ways to utilise our local resources,” he said.
As an example, he said local plant resources could be studied to produce high-value products such as perfumes and cosmetics, thereby creating new economic opportunities for Sarawak.
“For example, the pahkak tree (litsea cubeba) found in Sarawak has the potential to be explored as a source of materials for producing high-value perfumes through research and AI.
“If the tree is identified as suitable, Sarawak can explore commercial cultivation to produce raw materials for perfume products.
“Then we can ask AI how to make its fragrance more pleasant than other perfumes,” he explained.
Abang Johari said the approach demonstrated how technology could be combined with Sarawak’s natural resources to develop new products with greater economic value.
