KUCHING: SoftBank Group Corp requires more than 2,000 engineers to support the development of new industries in Sarawak, highlighting the need for the state to strengthen local talent development in engineering and technology.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the demand for skilled professionals must be given due attention to ensure Sarawakians are prepared to fill the high-skilled job opportunities expected to emerge.
He said Western Digital’s microchip industry development in Samajaya would also require about 500 engineers, while Petchem’s methanol production operations in Samalaju likewise needed engineering professionals.
“SoftBank, on the other hand, requires more than 2,000 engineers. Similarly, our own company, Petchem, which produces methanol in Samalaju, also requires engineers.”
He was responding to a student’s question on the most important achievement he hoped to realise by 2030 during the “Meet & Greet: Aspirasi Anak Sarawak – A Conversation About the Future” held in conjunction with the Sarawak Form Six Student Leadership and Empowerment Convention 2026 at a hotel here today.
According to Abang Johari, Sarawak must make early preparations to produce more local professionals with expertise in emerging industries.
He said Sarawakian students who received proper training has the potential to become highly skilled workers and meet the needs of the state’s growing industries.
He expressed confidence that Sarawak’s younger generation could become a talented workforce if provided with appropriate training and exposure.
“If Sarawakian children are properly trained, they will become a talented workforce.”
Earlier, SoftBank Group Corp, Grab Holdings Limited and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) announced plans for an initial investment of USD1 billion (approximately RM4.07 billion) to develop large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure in Sarawak.
The announcement followed the signing of a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) by the three parties, marking a follow-up step to the Framework Agreement signed on Oct 8.
Of the proposed investment, SoftBank is expected to contribute USD800 million, while Grab and Petros will each contribute USD100 million.
The investment will be implemented in stages based on the project’s development milestones, including securing customer contracts and fulfilling the stipulated closing conditions.
The project will be led and majority-owned by SoftBank, with Grab and Petros serving as strategic partners.
