KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg took a swipe at Democratic Action Party’s (DAP) rocket symbol today (Nov 15), while outlining Sarawak’s ambition to launch its own satellite by 2030.
Without naming the party, he said he was interested in launching a satellite rather than a rocket, before criticising calls to halt the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) project and Tanjung Embang development.
“We are going to launch a CubeSat satellite from Sarawak. I am not interested in rockets.
“That rocket divides people. That rocket says stop ART, stop Tanjung Embang. Its rocket has not taken off either — it is still the same,” he said during the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Southern Zone Special Convention 2026 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here.
Abang Johari said Sarawak intended to pursue its satellite ambitions with the involvement of Sarawakian scientists, as part of efforts to develop local expertise and prepare for the future economy.
He said the state’s development plans had also attracted foreign interest, recalling discussions with representatives from the United Arab Emirates and Russia on opportunities related to the sector.
“We want to launch a satellite with Sarawakian scientists. This is PBB’s work for Sarawak’s future, so we must work hard,” he said.
Earlier, Abang Johari reaffirmed that Sarawak would proceed with Tanjung Embang and its artificial intelligence and hydrogen initiatives despite objections from some quarters.
He said the state must continue moving forward to create employment opportunities and strengthen its economic position, rather than abandon projects intended to prepare Sarawak for changing technologies and industries.
“I will not withdraw from that. PBB won’t withdraw.
“We will place Sarawak as a hub in ASEAN and in the region, in fact, to the world,” he said.
